Richland County Emergency Management

Public Health Press Release #1

By

PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS IN RELATION TO FLOODING

Richland Center, WI: Richland County Health & Human Services is advising the public of the potential Public Health hazards in relation to the area flooding.

Water Safety

Do not use water for drinking, brushing teeth, cooking, or making ice unless you are certain that it is safe. The DNR is recommending that if wells are submerged they should be disinfected prior to completing a well sample. Please contact the Public Health Department or check out our website for further information regarding the technique involved with disinfecting a well. The Public Health Department is recommending that all well samples be postponed until at least next Monday, July 24th to avoid a sample being considered too old to test due to the upcoming weekend. Water test kits may be picked up at the Community Services Building Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.

Mold

After a flood, mold will grow in your house and can make you sick. Items that were wet for 2 or more days should be taken outside, as they have mold growing on them even if you can’t see it. Hard surfaced items can be cleaned with soap and water and then sanitized with a bleach solution. Cloth items can be washed in hot water. Please contact the Public Health Department or check out our website for further information regarding the techniques involved with removing mold from household items. [Read more…]

More Storms Expected Friday and Friday Night

By

The storm system that moved through the area Wednesday night/Thursday morning produced between 6.5″ to 8″ of rain and winds in excess of 70 mph. The heavy rainfall caused significant flash flooding throughout the county which in turn caused area rivers and streams to rise dramatically; resulting in moderate flooding and several road closures. Several homes have been impacted as well, however none have been reported destroyed.

Another round of storms is expected to hit the area Friday and Friday night. These storms will again likely produce heavy rains that could lead to more flash flooding, especially for the locations that received heavy rains Wednesday night. In addition, there will also be a threat for damaging winds and large hail during the afternoon and evening.

Richland County Emergency Management is urging everyone to take the necessary steps now to protect life and property, as another round of storms will most certainly exacerbate the current flooding conditions. Those with outdoor interests and activities Friday and Friday night will also want to be weather aware!

June 16, 2017 Severe Thunderstorm Watch

By

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.

Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week

By

(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).

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