The Dallas County Board of Supervisors Tuesday proclaimed the week of March 25-29 as Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Severe weather presents one of greatest risks to residents and businesses within Dallas County, according to the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency. Between 1955 and 2015, 51 tornadoes were reported in Dallas County and between 1953 and 2019, Dallas County was included in 15 federal disaster declarations.
Severe weather can present several risks, from straight-line winds, to hail, lightening, flooding and tornadoes.
Severe Weather Awareness Week presents an opportunity for citizens to prepare themselves in anticipation of severe weather. Federal, state and local agencies encourage residents to take this opportunity to develop a disaster plan, build an emergency kit, create an emergency communications plan and practice with family members to ensure all know where to go and what to do before, during and after a storm.
Dallas County Emergency Management Agency will be sharing helpful tips as it relates to weather preparedness throughout the week via Facebook and the Dallas County Emergency Management website. These tips will follow a common theme:
- Monday: Severe Thunderstorms
- Tuesday: Weather Warnings
- Wednesday: Tornadoes, including participation in the Statewide Tornado Drill
- Thursday: Family Preparedness
- Friday: Flash Floods
The Wednesday, March 27 activities include participation in the Statewide Tornado Drill. The drill will include the activation of the Dallas County outdoor warning sirens. The drill will start promptly at 10 a.m., with a mock “tornado watch” being issued.
At 10:15 a.m. a mock “tornado warning” will be issued. The outdoor warning sirens will be activated, and residents participating in the drill should practice seeking shelter.
The drill will end at 10:35 a.m. There will not be an all-clear signal marking the end of the drill.
The Dallas County Emergency Management Agency will also host a Storm Spotter Training course, taught by the National Weather Service Wednesday, April 3 at 7 p.m. The course will take place at Dallas County Human Services Campus, 25747 N Ave. in Adel. The course is free, and no pre-registration is required.
Those looking for planning and preparedness information should visit the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency website or visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.
The Dallas County Board of Supervisors issued the following proclamation Tuesday:
WHEREAS, Severe Weather Awareness Week creates an important opportunity for each resident of Dallas County to prepare their homes, businesses and communities for severe weather; and
WHEREAS, the citizens and properties in Dallas County have suffered from significant effects from severe weather during severe weather seasons because of storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding; and
WHEREAS, between 1955 and 2015 there were 51 reported tornadoes within Dallas County; and
WHEREAS, there has been 65 federal disaster declarations that included Iowa since 1953, 15 of which included Dallas County; and
WHEREAS, increased public awareness and public education regarding severe weather and preparedness can decrease the number of lives lost from deadly storms, which can occur at anytime, with little to no warning; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Dallas County are the county’s greatest resource; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of the threat of severe weather, Dallas County will be participating in the annual statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at 10 a.m. During this time, County offices and those within Dallas County are encouraged to participate in the exercise; and
WHEREAS, Dallas County Emergency Management Agency hosts an emergency alert system that is free to the public; and
WHEREAS, the National Weather Service, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Dallas County Emergency Management Agency encourage Dallas County residents to take this opportunity to develop a disaster plan, build an emergency kit, create an emergency communication plan and practice with family members to ensure all know what to do and where to go before, during and after a storm;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Dallas County Board of Supervisors do hereby proclaim March 25 to March 29, 2019, as Severe Weather Awareness Week.
