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Richland County Damage Assessment Continues
Richland Center, WI: Richland County Emergency Management reports that southern areas of Richland County sustained 60 plus mile per hour winds and some residents are still without power. Alliant Energy has numerous crews working in the affected areas. Citizens should continue to travel with caution as there are several trees and power lines still down. Richland County Emergency Management officials and other public safety officers continue to survey the area for damage, and will request assistance from the National Weather Service to confirm tornado activity tomorrow.
Severe Weather Hits Richland County
Richland Center, WI: Richland County Emergency Management announces that the severe thunderstorm which hit Richland County early in the evening Wednesday, May 29, 2013 caused serious damage to the O’Brien Brothers, Mobil 1 Lube Express, and Center Café buildings. These facilities are located on Highway 14 East in Richland Center.
The Gotham area also received significant damage and various power outages are being reported throughout the area. No injuries have been reported at this time and the potential threat of a tornado is no longer of concern. Citizens in the area should travel with caution as there are several trees and power lines down. Richland County Emergency Management officials and other public safety officers continue to survey the area for damage.
For immediate release: May 29, 2013
Wisconsin State Tornado Drill Today
State Wide Tornado Drill is on for today. At 1:00pm, the National Weather Service will issue a statewide mock tornado watch and at 1:45pm a statewide mock tornado warning. Many radio and TV stations will participate in the drill. In addition, NOAA weather radios (also known as emergency weather radios) will issue alert messaging. This is an ideal opportunity for schools, businesses and families to practice safe procedures for severe weather.
This drill was originally scheduled for yesterday April 18th, but due to weather conditions statewide and many counties dealing with flooding and other weather emergencies, it was postponed and rescheduled for today.
Listen, Act and Live!
Listen, Act and Live! Those words could protect you and your family during severe storm season. Listening to warnings and seeking shelter immediately will save lives. That’s why Richland County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service (NWS) LaCrosse have teamed up for Wisconsin’s Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week April 15-19, 2013.
Did you know that…
- Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually.
- Last year, only 4 tornadoes were reported in Wisconsin by the NWS. The strongest tornado in 2012 hit near Patch Grove in Grant County on September 4. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
- In 2011, 38 tornadoes in Wisconsin were confirmed by the NWS, the fourth highest number on record. On August 19, a man was killed when a tornado with winds of 105 mph struck Marinette County.
- The peak tornado season in Wisconsin is April to August, but tornadoes can occur any time of year, like the January 7, 2008 storms near Kenosha.
- The tornado outbreak of August 18, 2005 set the Wisconsin record with 27 confirmed tornadoes in one day. 2 of the 27 tornadoes impacted Richland County; 1 in the southern portion of our county in the Town of Orion and a strong F2 that struck the Village of Viola.
Richland County Emergency Management and NWS LaCrosse encourages everyone to own a weather radio. They are inexpensive and could save your life. When purchasing a weather radio, Emergency Management recommends that you purchase one based on your needs. Some weather radios have an external antenna jack to increase reception in areas where signal is weak. Other units are designed for the hearing and visiually impaired. For those outdoor enthusiests, a portable weather radio may be an item you may consider putting in your pack.
In today’s world, technology has enhanced our ability to warn the public of severe weather. And when that warning is issued we encourage you to Listen, Act and Live!