Richland County Emergency Management

What are damaging winds?

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What are damaging winds?
Damaging winds are often called “straight-line” winds to differentiate the damage they cause from tornado damage. Strong thunderstorm winds can come from a number of different processes. Most thunderstorm winds that cause damage at the ground are a result of outflow generated by a thunderstorm downdraft. Damaging winds are classified as those exceeding 50-60 mph.
Are damaging winds really a big deal?
Damage from severe thunderstorm winds account for half of all severe reports in the lower 48 states and is more common than damage from tornadoes. Wind speeds can reach up to 100 mph and can produce a damage path extending for hundreds of miles.
Who is at risk from damaging winds?
Since most thunderstorms produce some straight-line winds as a result of outflow generated by the thunderstorm downdraft, anyone living in thunderstorm-prone areas of the world is at risk for experiencing this hazard.

People living in mobile homes are especially at risk for injury and death. Even anchored mobile homes can be seriously damaged when winds gust over 80 mph.

To see more information from the National Weather Service about damaging winds, visit: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/wind/faq/

Understanding Lightning: Types of Flashes

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There are two main types of lighting: intra-cloud lightning and cloud-to-ground lightning.

Intra-cloud lightning is an electrical discharge between oppositely charged areas within the thunderstorm cloud.Lightning

Cloud-to-ground lightning is a discharge between opposite charges in the cloud and on the ground. Cloud-to-ground lightning can either occur between negative charges in the cloud and positive charges on the ground (a negative flash) or between positive charges in the cloud and negative charges on the ground (a positive flash).

Each cloud-to-ground lightning flash consists of one or more leaders followed by one or more return strokes. The leader is the initial step in the lightning flash and establishes the conductive channel that the electrical discharge (lightning) will take. There are different types of leaders. The most common type of leader is the negative stepped leader. Once a charged leader makes a connection with the ground, the return stroke occurs. The return stroke is simply the rapid discharge of electricity that has accumulated on the leader. We see this discharge as the bright flash of lightning

To see slow-motion video of lighting in action, check out: http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/science/science_slow_motion_flashes.htm

Armed Forces Day

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Today, we say ‘Thank you’ to our members of the Armed Forces, who have answered the call to serve our community in a capacity deserving of our deepest gratitude. Wisconsin Emergency Management, and all counties throughout the state, partner with the National Guard, relying on their assistance when disasters happen that tax the local resources.

EMS Week

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This week, we recognize all the Emergency Medical Services that give of their time and talents to help those in need of medical attention in the area. Our many thanks to the members of our First Responder groups based out of Boaz, Ithaca, and Yuba, and the Lone Rock and Richland County Ambulance Services for being on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Richland County Ambulance would like to invite members of the community to their Open House Fundraiser on Saturday, May 21st, from 10am until 2pm on Haseltine St., next to the Richland County Courthouse. There will be a brat stand with grass-fed all-beef hotdogs, MacroBars, and more! All money raised will be used to purchase new equipment upgrades and for community involvement projects.

In addition to the brat stand, there will also be several information and activity stations to learn more about emergency situations and how community members can help EMS help them. In addition to blood pressure checks and information about common medical emergencies, there will also be a table with information from the Aging & Disability Resource Center as well as a representative from Richland Hospital’s Emergency Department! Visitors who stop at two of the information and activity stations will be entered into a raffle for prizes such as a well-stocked first aid kit and a beautiful canvas print. You can also enter your workplace, club, or group into a drawing for a free CPR class!

The Richland County Ambulance always appreciates the ability to interact with and educate our community about EMS and how they can take charge of their health so they might only have to see an ambulance at fun events such as this!

Open House_Poster

https://em.co.richland.wi.us/