Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week
(Richland County, WI) – Schools, businesses, families, and individuals have two opportunities to test their emergency plans during statewide tornado drills on April 20, 2017. The drills are part of the annual spring severe weather campaign to encourage everyone in Wisconsin to be ready for possible tornadoes and severe weather.
Governor Walker has declared April 17-21, 2017 as Wisconsin’s Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week. Wisconsin Emergency Management, the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) have once again teamed up to sponsor the statewide tornado drills scheduled for Thursday, April 20.
On April 20th, a mock tornado watch will be issued at 1:00 p.m. followed by a statewide mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. WRCO Radio and TV stations across the state will issue the test tornado warnings. Tornado sirens in communities across the county will also be tested as a part of the mock tornado drill.
In addition, mock alerts will be issued on NOAA Weather Radios and many communities will sound their tornado sirens to test their emergency severe weather plans. Later, a mock tornado warning will be issued at 6:45 p.m. to give families and second shift workers a chance to practice their emergency plans.
According to the NWS, Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. Last year, there were 16 tornado touchdowns in the state. All of the tornadoes were either an EF0 or EF1. However, it’s not a question of if we will have a violent storm, it’s a matter of when.
The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark and or rainy. If actual severe storms are expected in the state on Thursday, April 20, the tornado drills will be postponed until Friday, April 21 with the same times. If severe storms are possible Friday, the drills will be cancelled.
Any changes will be issued to local media as well as the following sites:
Richland County Emergency Management website at https://em.co.richland.wi.us
ReadyWisconsin website at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.
Updates will also be posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ReadyWisconsin).
Winter Storm – Prepare for Significant Travel Impacts
Winter storm to bring several inches of snow to the region Friday through Saturday, blowing and drifting some of that snow on Saturday. There will be significant impacts to travel over the period. Plan now for winter driving conditions and consider altering travel plans to avoid peak snow and wind hazards. After the storm moves through, another shot of cold air will hit the area. Wind chills Sunday morning could range from 25 to 45 below zero.
Flood Related Resources and Assistance
Richland Center, WI: Richland County Health and Human Services is offering flood related resources and assistance to those Richland County residents that suffered flood related damages.
Resources and Assistance will be available through Richland County Health and Human Services at 221 W Seminary Street, Richland Center, WI 53581 from 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday.
Resources and Assistance available to those eligible include:
- Clean up kits
- Water test kits for private wells
- Food Share replacement benefits
- Goodwill vouchers
- Salvation Army vouchers
- Food Safety and Cleaning resources
- Furnace repair/replacement
- American Red Cross Assistance
For additional information, please call (608) 647-4616.
Damage Assessment Form
If you have experienced damage due to the recent flooding please complete the following form. Clicking the submit via e-mail button on the bottom of the form will send your information to the Emergency Management Staff.
Residential Detailed Damage Assessment
You may also call 608-649-5767 to report damage.