(Spirit Lake)– Severe Weather Awareness Week continues this week in the state of Iowa. Today’s (Tues.) topic is tornado safety. Dickinson County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Ehret offers some advice when a tornado warning is issued…
“First and foremost, do not run outside to try and see the storm. I know everybody wants to do that, they want to get that picture, they want to get that viral video. Many times tornadoes are wrapped in rain and you cannot see them. So when you get that warning, get to shelter immediately. Don’t waste time, just get down into that shelter. In a home or a business that’s the lowest level, preferably a basement. If you don’t have a basement, on the first floor under something sturdy. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible, so like an interior bathroom or an interior closet or something like that, and then cover yourself to protect yourself from flying debris.”
Ehret says it’s also important to have a radio with you in the shelter, or some other means to keep up to date with the warning and to know when it’s safe to once again come out. Ehret says it’s also a good idea to wear a helmet to help protect yourself from flying debris.
Wednesday the emphasis will be on preparedness. With that will come a statewide tornado drill…
“At about 10:00 am I believe the weather service is going to trip the weather radios. It’s going to be part of their weekly test but it will mention the statewide tornado drill. We do intend to sound the outdoor warning sirens here in Dickinson county at 10:00 am and that’s just really the time that I encourage everybody whether you’re at home or school or a business or work to practice your severe weather safety plan and to practice seeking shelter at that time.”
We’ll have more on severe weather preparedness with our newscasts Wednesday.
