Today begins severe weather preparedness week for Central Indiana. Hamilton County Emergency Management is reminding residents how they can prepare for the severe weather season.
Each day this week will focus on a different topic to help the community prepare.
- Monday: Have a plan on what you will do in the event of severe weather and make sure everyone in your household understands the plan
- Tuesday: Tornado facts and safety; statewide tornado drill at 10:15 a.m. – outdoor warning sirens will be sounded
- Wednesday: Thunderstorm and lightning safety
- Thursday: Wind and hail facts and safety
- Friday: Flooding safety; resume weekly sounding of the outdoor warning sirens (will occur every Friday at 11 a.m. through the fall unless severe weather is expected)
Hamilton County Emergency Management put its emergency plans into practice last Thursday during the tornado watch. Emergency Management activated their Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Storm Operations during the tornado watch. This unique approach to public safety incorporates different ways to ensure police, fire, trained storm spotters, and others are working together when there is a threat of severe weather.
“Emergency Management is on the front lines when it comes to severe weather,” said Shane Booker, Executive Director of Emergency Management for Hamilton County. “Our communities depend upon us to ensure we are communicating in real time with the National Weather Service, public safety partners, and the storm spotters in the field. Our team ensures are sharing information with the public and sound the outdoor warning sirens when a tornado warning is issued.”
Booker also shared that the four positions in the EOC Storm Operations include a meteorologist who monitors radar and will sound the sirens, public safety communications with direct lines to police and fire, a radio operator talking to the National Weather Service, and an amateur radio operator communicating with the network of storm spotters across the county.
“We stand watch 24/7 and activate EOC Storm Operations anytime severe weather threatens our community,” said Booker.
Emergency Management wants you to know sirens are for outdoor warning. They are not intended to warn you in your home.
“We all rely upon our smart phones, but the network can become damaged and disconnect users, especially during severe weather,” said Booker. “A weather radio is the best way to receive warnings in your home and works for severe weather and other emergencies. We are giving away four radios to readers of the Reporter to help get the message out.”
To enter to win a free radio, send an email to eoc@hamiltoncounty.in.gov, include Weather Radio Giveaway in the subject line, and list one thing you have done to prepare for severe weather. Winners will be contacted on Monday, March 24 via email.
Don’t forget to download the free Hamilton County Emergency Management App for additional information and receive updates regarding severe weather.
Click here to learn more about severe weather preparedness.