Severe Weather Information
Central Dispatch is in charge of activating the Tornado Sirens for the County.
The sirens are activated upon notification of a Tornado Warning being issues or a confirmed sighting of a tornado. We have a total of 9 sirens in Clinton County.
The sirens can be activated for the entire County or into segments (NE quad, NW quad, SE quad, SW quad) based off if the warning is for the entire County
or just a specific section of the County.
It is important to understand that the sirens are not meant to be heard inside buildings, however many do hear them due to the proximity. Tornado sirens
are meant to notify people who are outside to know to seek shelter.
On the first Saturday of each month at 11:00am we will conduct a 30 second audible test of the tornado sirens.
We encourage everyone to purchase a Weather Alert Radio. They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at many stores. The weather alert radio can be programed specifically
to our County and what you want to be alerted to. They will sound an audible alert when a notification has been issued. It can be loud enough to assist in waking you during
inclement weather in the middle of the night.
Please also see out Ling to sign up for Nixle Alerts an to learn more about them.
Tornadoes
A tornado is a violent storm with whirling winds of up to 300 miles per hour. It appears as a funnel shaped cloud, from gray
to black in color, which extends to the ground from the base of a thunderstorm. Tornadoes move at an average speed of 30 MPH
and generally move from the southwest to northeast. Their direction of travel can be erratic and may change suddenly. These
short-lived storms are the most violent of all atmospheric phenomena and the most destructive over a small area. Tornadoes
are most likely to occur during the mid-afternoon and evening hours and during the months of April, May, and June. However,
they can occur at any time, often with little or no warning.
The National Weather Service broadcasts severe weather conditions on radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio. A tornado WATCH means
conditions are right for a tornado to occur. A tornado WARNING indicates a tornado has been sighted in the posted area or is
visible on radar. A location of the sighting is normally given along with its projected movement.
Tornado watches:
• Stay tuned to a local radio or television station or listen to your NOAA Weather Radio
• Secure any loose objects outdoors, or move them inside
• Survey local structures for the most suitable shelter
• Keep watching the sky to the south and southwest. If you see any funnel-shaped clouds, report them immediately to the
nearest law enforcement agency and take cover
Tornado warnings:
A tornado has been spotted near your area or is predicted to come your way. Take shelter immediately.
Do not leave shelter until you are sure no further danger exists. Remember, there is no guaranteed safe place during a tornado.
However, there are some locations that are better than others.
In a motor vehicle: The least desirable place to be during a tornado is in a motor vehicle. Never try to outrun
a tornado in your car. Stop your vehicle and seek shelter elsewhere. Do not get under or next to your vehicle. A ditch or ground
depression will help, if a tornado is not nearby.
At school: Follow the school disaster plan. Stay away from auditoriums, gymnasiums, and other areas with wide,
free-span roofs. Go into center hallways and stay away from windows.
Open country: Move away from the tornado's projected path at right angles. Seek shelter in a ditch, ravine, or
culvert. Even a low spot in the ground will give you some protection. Stay away from trees and remember to protect your head.
In a residence: The best place to go is the innermost hallway, on the lowest floor. An interior closet is relatively
safe; an interior bathroom is even better. Not only does a bathroom have four walls closely tied together, but the plumbing helps hold
the structure together. In addition, the bathtub, sink, and toilet help support debris in case the house collapses. One basic rule to
follow is to avoid windows. Flying debris causes most of the causualties and the worst kind of flying debris is broken glass. Do not
open any windows to equalize pressure when a tornado approaches. If a tornado actually gets close enough for a pressure drop to be
experienced, the strong winds have already caused the most significant damage. Opening windows, in fact, may actually increase damage.
In a mobile home: One of the least desirable places to be during a tornado is in a mobile home. If a tornado approaches
seek other shelter immediately. Go to a tornado shelter on foot, if possible. Do not drive your car. Do not get under your mobile home;
if no other shelter is available, lie down in a ditch or ground depression.
Thunderstorms
Some thunderstorms can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. It is important to learn and recognize the danger signs
and to plan ahead.
A severe thunderstorm watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the weather conditions are such that a severe
thunderstorm (damaging winds 58 miles per hour or more, or hail three-fourths of an inch in diameter or greater) is likely to
develop. This is the time to locate a safe place in the home and tell family members to watch the sky and listen to the radio or
television for more information.
A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. At this
point, the danger is very serious and everyone should go to a safe place, turn on a battery-operated radio or television, and wait
for the "all clear" by the authorities.
Learn how to respond to a tornado and flash flood. Tornadoes are spawned by thunderstorms and flash flooding can occur with
thunderstorms. When a "severe thunderstorm warning" is issued, review what actions to take under a "tornado warning" or a "flash
flood warning."
Develop an emergency communication plan
In case family members are separated from one another during a thunderstorm (a real possibility during the day when adults are
at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as
the "family contact". After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and
phone number of the contact person.
Before a Storm
Learn the thunderstorm danger signs:
Dark, towering, or threatening clouds
Distant lightning and thunder
Have disaster supplies on hand:
Flashlight with extra batteries
Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Non-electric can opener
Essential medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes
Check for hazards in the yard
Dead or rotting trees and branches can fall during a severe thunderstorm and cause injury and damage
Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a thunderstorm. Also, teach children how and when to call 9-1-1,
police, fire department, and which radio station to tune for emergency information
During a Storm
If Indoors:
Secure outdoor objects such as lawn furniture that could blow away or cause damage or injury. Take light objects inside
Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors
Listen to a battery operated radio or television for the latest storm information
Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow the wire. Television sets are
particularly dangerous at this time.
Avoid bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks because metal pipes can transmit electricity
If outdoors:
Attempt to get into a building or car
If no structure is available, get to an open space an squat low to the ground as quickly as possible.
If in the woods, find an area protected by low clump of trees--never stand underneath a single large tree in the open.
Be aware of the potential for flooding in low-lying areas
Crouch with hands on knees
Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines
Stay away from natural lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles, or camping equipment
Stay from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water
If you are isolated in a level field or prairie and you feel your hair stand on end (which indicates that
lightning is about to strike), bend forward, putting your hands on your knees. A position with feet together and crouching
while removing all metal objects is recommended. Do not lie flat on the ground.
If in a car:
Pull onto the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside.
Avoid flooded roadways.
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