Richland County Emergency Management

Richland County Cooling Centers – Urgent News Release #1

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For immediate release:  June 28, 2018

RICHLAND COUNTY COOLING CENTERS

Richland Center, WI:  Due to the extreme heat warnings forecasted for the next two days, the following Richland County cooling centers have been identified by Richland County Public Health.  The Richland County Courthouse will open its lobby and Conference Room 2 from 8:30AM-4:30PM tomorrow.  The Brewer Public Library in Richland Center will be open from 9:00AM-5:00PM tomorrow and from 10:00AM to 2:00PM on Saturday. The Woodman Community/Senior Center will be open from 7:00AM-5:00PM Friday and will be open on Saturday and Sunday as it is hosting events on those days.

Cooling centers have also been opened in Viola.  The Village of Viola Office will be open from 8:30AM-4:30PM tomorrow and will make a conference room available during that timeframe. The Viola Library will be open Friday from 2:00PM-7:00PM and on Saturday from 9:00AM-12:30PM.

In Lone Rock, the Lone Rock Community Hall will be open on both Friday and Saturday for those seeking relief from the heat.  The lower level of the building is air-conditioned.  The Lone Rock Community Hall will be open from early morning to evening both days. Adam Reno can be contacted at 608-604-4527 if questions arise.  Additional phone numbers are posted on the doors of the building for individuals seeking more information.

Officials will monitor the use of cooling centers and the weather to determine the continued need for cooling centers.

For up to date information, visit the Richland County website at https://em.co.richland.wi.us select the Resources tabs for more information on the cooling shelter locations.

Printable Press Release

Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week 2018

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MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Scott Walker has declared April 9-13 as Wisconsin’s Tornado and 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 12.

Schools, businesses, families, and individuals have two opportunities to test their emergency plans during the April 12 statewide tornado drills. 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.

According to the NWS, Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. Last year, there were 23 tornado touchdowns in the state. While most were either EF0 or EF1, the state did record an EF3 on May 16, 2017. The tornado followed an 83-mile path across Polk, Barron, Rusk, and Price counties, killing one person and causing widespread damage. The state also experienced an outbreak of 10 tornadoes on June 14, 2017, across Shawano, Winnebago, Outagamie, Brown, and Waushara counties. Richland County experienced 2 tornadoes in one day; August 18,  2005 an EF2 tornado struck the Village of Viola and an EF0 struck the unincorporated Village of Orion along the Wisconsin River in southern Richland County.

A mock tornado watch will be issued April 12 at 1 p.m., followed by a statewide mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. Many radio and TV stations across the state will issue the test tornado warnings. 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.

The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark or rainy. If actual severe storms are expected in the state on Thursday, April 12, the tornado drills will be postponed until Friday, April 13 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 posted on the ReadyWisconsin website at http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.

Updates will also be posted on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin www.facebook.com/ReadyWisconsin), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin www.twitter.com/ReadyWisconsin), and Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/ReadyWisconsin www.instagram.com/ReadyWisconsin).

 

June 16, 2017 Severe Thunderstorm Watch

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National Weather Service La Crosse has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Richland, Grant, Crawford and Vernon County until 10:00PM.

As temperatures continue to rise along with increased atmospheric instability, thunderstorms are looking more likely across the entire area in the 4-10 pm window. Severe storms are likely as well, especially near and south of Interstate 90. An area of thunderstorms is expected to develop in the late afternoon, near or east of Interstate 35, and shift east through 10 pm. Isolated storms may also form east of that area.

Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats. Southwestern Wisconsin and northeast Iowa seem to have a higher chance of more widespread damaging winds. Locally heavy rain could also cause
some temporary minor flooding. If outdoors later, be prepared to seek safe shelter.

A weather watch indicates the potential for severe or damaging weather conditions.

September is Preparedness Month in Wisconsin

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It doesn’t matter if you are a child, an adult or senior, everyone should be ready for a disaster. That’s why Governor Scott Walker had proclaimed September as Preparedness Month. The campaign is encouraging Wisconsin families to prepare now before disaster strikes.

“Preparing your family for the unexpected is as simple as having a conversation around the dinner table,” says Major General Don Dunbar, Adjutant General and Wisconsin’s Homeland Security Advisor. “Make sure you talk about what to do during an emergency and consider special needs of each family member. A senior may need additional assistance walking downstairs to seek shelter in a basement during a tornado warning while young children may need items such as diapers, food and toys when families are asked to evacuate during an emergency and go to a shelter. Also, don’t forget your pets. Many shelters do not accept pets during an emergency so have a kennel or friend that is able to take care of them if you need to evacuate your home.”

When putting together your family emergency plan, make sure you have a contact list that contains current phone numbers of families and friends who could assist during an emergency. Also have medical information including contact information for your physician and a list of any medications or allergies. Carry a copy of the information in your wallet and have one in your disaster kit.

If you or a family member has allergies, diabetes, cardiac conditions or other serious health issues, consider wearing a medical alert dog tag or bracelet. If you are injured or sick and unable to talk, these tags will alert first responders and medical personnel that you have a condition that they should be aware of.

Also, when putting together your emergency disaster kits for your home and vehicles make sure you include important specialty items for family members. This could include baby food, diapers, certain medications, items for your pets such as food, water and leashes, etc. It may take a while before help arrives so it may be important to have those items available.

This September, ReadyWisconsin will highlight easy and inexpensive ways for you and your family to prepare for emergency situations. You can visit http://readywisconsin.wi.gov (http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYwOTAyLjYzMjk3MjMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MDkwMi42MzI5NzIzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODUxMjkxJmVtYWlsaWQ9cmNhbWVyaWNvcnBzQGNvLnJpY2hsYW5kLndpLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1yY2FtZXJpY29ycHNAY28ucmljaGxhbmQud2kudXMmdGFyZ2V0aWQ9JmZsPSZleHRyYT1NdWx0aXZhcmlhdGVJZD0mJiY=&&&100&&&http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/) for more information. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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