Tornado drill, siren testing and burn calls
Out-of-control controlled burns and ditch fires have been reported frequently in the county during the past several days. Controlled burns should only be started during safe weather conditions and an ample water supply and possibly a tractor with a disc ripper should be on hand if a fire gets out of control. It is the law to call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at (515) 332-2471 one hour prior to starting a controlled burn, or face possible criminal charges. Humboldt Independent file photo.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reported that it will be participating in a tornado drill at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23. Sirens will sound and people may want to observe their tornado protocols. Those include going to a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building, away from windows, doors and outside walls.
The drill is being conducted in recognition of Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 21-25.
If you are outside and there is a severe weather event, do not go under an overpass or bridge, but stay in a low, flat location and protect your head and neck with your arms from flying debris.
In the event of an actual serve weather event, people should listen to a NOAA weather radio or local radio or TV for warning information. Many smartphone apps also provide warning information. One free service is Wireless Emergency Alerts through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These warnings are broadcast from cell towers in the vicinity of a tornado or flash flood and people who sign up can receive them if they are near the hazard.
Humboldt County Sheriff Dean Kruger has announced that emergency sirens throughout the county will be tested on Saturdays, beginning Saturday, March 19 at noon. The tests will continue on Saturdays at noon until all the sirens in the county have been tested.
“If you notice that an alarm near you is not working, contract me at the Humboldt County Law Enforcement Center (515) 332-2471,” Kruger said.
“It is vital that all emergency sirens are operating and can be heard as we move into the spring and summer storm season,” Kruger said.
The sheriff also reminds all citizens in the county that controlled burns – those other than cookouts, recreational fires or normal yard waste – must be reported to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (515) 332-2471, one hour prior to being set.
He said all fires must be monitored while they are burning.
