Spring storm threat returns: Ringgold County EMA urges area residents to be prepared
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By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — With the warmer weather and springtime around the corner, Ringgold County Emergency Management Coordinator Melissa Stark knows she is about to be busy. Evidence of this happened late last week as the threat of severe storms went through southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri.
Emergency Management is a coordinated effort, involving local, state and federal government agencies as well as volunteer organizations and businesses. Within an integrated emergency management framework, these entities assist citizens and their communities to prepare for, respond to, recover from and eliminate or reduce the effects of natural, man-made, civil and technological emergencies and disasters (description courtesy of Ringgold County’s website).
Ringgold County Emergency Management is the department that is responsible for the entire county’s efforts and emergency plans, including the cities within the county. Those plans include everything from per-disaster mitigation, a multi-agency response to a car accident, hazardous materials spill, school shootings, terrorism, recovery from an incident and everything in between. The department is also the Homeland Security contact for the county and distributes important information from state and federal agencies to local officials and response agencies.
Among her many responsibilities, Stark is the oversight for emergency warnings for the community. These warning are critical to alerting the public of impending danger or simply providing information as to a potential hazardous situation.
This time of year the hazards are often tied to weather events typical of spring time in the tornado belt. Longer days and rising temperatures fuel storms and their resulting calamitous effects; especially, tornadoes.
Last year the area was racked by a number of devastating storms that reeked havoc on the citizens and created sleepless nights for many insurance company executives. Tornadic activity is difficult enough to handle, let alone when this activity comes as a surprise.
Early warnings are the best remedies for anxiety filled spring storms. Having advanced warning can, and often is, the difference between life and death.
Outdoor sirens are located on the east side of Mount Ayr (south of Clearview Nursing Home, west side of Mount Ayr (near the elementary school), the intersection of State Highway 2 E and U.S. 169 N (near Caseys and the Mount Ayr Inn), Sun Valley Lake, the City of Diagonal and multiple indoor warning systems that were purchased through a community grant by Ringgold County EMA.
Having an advanced warning system is extremely important but it is also important to understand the meaning of the warnings, according to Stark.
“We will never sound an all clear siren indicating that a storm has passed,” she said. “If the sirens are going off, it’s because there is still a significant risk.”
The county also does monthly testing of siren equipment on the first Tuesday of each month, weather permitting. Siren testing will not be performed on this day if weather looks stormy or if there is an actual emergency threat.
“It is not uncommon for tornado’s to pop up and dissipate in the same storm path,” Stark said.
Stark said that the only indication of an “All Clear” is the absence of a siren.
Stark went on to explain that tornadoes are not the only reason sirens can be sounded. Straight line wind speeds of 80 miles per hour or greater will also trigger a warning.
Storm sirens, while important, are also quite expensive. Ringgold County and the City of Mount Ayr are in the midst of finding funding for an additional two sirens in the Mount Ayr area, but no final plans have been set. Often times there are grants available to communities to help offset these costs.
In addition to sirens, the Emergency Management department is exploring the installation of a portable weather station that could be installed centrally on the roof of an existing county building. Having a weather station closer to the community would enhance the Emergency Management’s response time to emergencies. As it stands, the county is reliant on national weather reports that come out of Des Moines, Omaha, Neb. and Kansas City. Generally, these reporting stations are reliable and accurate but they can’t pinpoint specific weather events that may only be impacting a small area. Having access to more onsite data could be greatly beneficial.
Along with all the technology that is available to the citizens, it is still important to know that not all the area residents share the same technology.
Stark indicated that it is a good idea to have a weather radio that does not rely on cell signals or a platform that may not be owned by all area residents, such as smart phones.
In addition to communication, it is important to understand the basics of storm shelter survival. During severe conditions people are advised to seek out the lowest portion of the house or dwelling when possible. Stay clear of windows and even have a “Go Bag” with a few important supplies like a small food supply and most importantly a stash of bottled water in the event of being trapped for an extended period of time. Keep a charged cell phone at all times if you own one. There should also be a plan in place for pets and livestock if time permits.
According to NOAA’s storm event database, Ringgold County has experienced 31 total tornadoes since 1950. Of those there was only one recorded death. Although these official numbers are kept by national weather scientists, it does not account for other severe weather phenomenons that can be attested to locally.
Emergency Management is just one of the many services and first responder resources that coordinate to help keep the communities safe. There are storm spotters and concerned citizens who also act in an unofficial capacity but their involvement is no less important on route to keeping the county informed. If you see something, say something, it could save a life.
