Clarke County Emergency Management Agency, the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) and the National Weather Service have joined together to promote Winter Weather Awareness Day in Iowa Nov. 5.
Each year, winter returns to Iowa and produces winter storms, blizzards, ice storms and periods of extremely cold temperatures, as well as dangerous wind chills.
A big part of being prepared for winter weather is being aware of potential hazards. One preparedness step for Iowans to take now is to sign up for emergency alerts through Alert Iowa.
Alert Iowa is an emergency notification system currently available in most Iowa counties. By signing up for alerts, residents in those counties can receive notifications about winter weather and other hazards and emergency conditions.
“Alert Iowa is a great tool to help Iowans stay aware of winter weather hazards,” said HSEMD’s Lindsey Mosher, Alert Iowa program manager. “Alert Iowa is user friendly, and allows people to sign up to receive alerts in a variety of ways, including by text, cell phone or land-line calls or email. So no matter where you are, you will know if winter weather and other hazards might impact you or your family.”
To learn which counties are offering Alert Iowa and to sign up, visit HSEMD's website at www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov and click on the Alert Iowa icon on the home page.
“It’s extremely important to stay aware of changing weather conditions,” said Ken Harding, meteorologist-in-charge at the Des Moines National Weather Service. “Download a weather alert app to your mobile phone, purchase a NOAA Weather Radio, or pay attention to local news and weather reports for the latest information on winter weather that is headed your way.”
Winter weather information from the National Weather Service Des Moines office can be found on the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov. Check your local National Weather Service office for more information on winter weather.
HSEMD's preparedness website, Ready Iowa, has information to help Iowans plan for winter hazards, whether at home, at work or on the road. Visit the Ready Iowa website, www.beready.iowa.gov, for downloadable brochures, emergency plans and checklists.