County to play out tornado scenario for annual severe weather exercise

April 24--Tuesday's weather might call for partly sunny skies, but local, county and state agencies will be preparing for a tornado.

It's all part of an annual severe weather exercise to allow local agencies and Crawford County to experience significant weather problems from severe thunderstorms, flooding and tornado, according to Allen Clark,deputy director for emergency management with the Crawford County Department of Public Safety.

The county-wide annual severe weather exercise will take place Tuesday with the annual tornado warning drill at 9 a.m. that day for all schools, hospitals and critical needs facilities like nursing homes.

A tornado warning tone is a steady tone from an emergency siren for one minute followed by a one minute pause. That is then followed by another steady tone for one minute.

"It's better to practice and test plans and equipment when the sun in shinning instead of during an actual weather emergency," Clark said.

Municipalities around the county will open and staff their respective municipal emergency operations center that day. The municipalities have been encouraged to invite their fire chief, elected officials, ambulance, police chief and public works personnel, as part of their emergency management team.

Crawford County Emergency Management Agency will staff and operate the county emergency operations center to support the municipal ones.

An amateur radio operator from the Crawford Amateur Radio Society will be sent to each staffed municipal emergency operations center to be the communication link back to the county, as well as using Knowledge Center for those that can log in online.

"Once a year, the entire county has an opportunity to practice what to do in the event of a major emergency by activating and testing emergency plans," Clark said. "We're trying to make it as real as possible. The National Weather Service will activate weather alert radios at 9 a.m. and (tornado) sirens will go off."

All emergencies and disasters are local and the exercise is designed to test the readiness of the local response -- plus have individuals prepare, Clark said.

"Last week, there was a funnel cloud in Youngsville (in Warren County)," Clark said. "We're in the season of severe weather with fires, floods and tornadoes possible. We're hoping people, wherever they are, will stop and think 'What will I do for shelter right now?' when they hear the siren."

Public safety officials cannot stress enough for families to be prepared to survive for at least three days without outside assistance in the event of a disaster, Clark said.

Some disasters have affected entire communities and public safety will quickly respond to provide emergency assistance, he said.

"But if you are not injured and do not need emergency help, you should have a plan and a kit to survive at least three days without power and outside help," Clark said. "If everyone would that, then the stress on the emergency services system could concentrate on the injured and damaged buildings."

--For tips on what to stock in an emergency preparedness kit visit redcross.org and click on the "Get Help" tab.

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.

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