Below are our policies on dealing with extreme weather conditions.
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Severe Storms / Tornados |
Winter Weather / Blizzards |
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Thunderstorm Watch |
Level One Snow Alert |
| Indicates that conditions are favorable for a strong thunderstorm to occur within the time period that is described in the watch. | Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are also icy, drive carefully. |
|
Thunderstorm Warning |
Level Two Snow Advisory |
| Indicates that severe weather has been spotted and is coming our way. Severe thunderstorms may contain dangerous lightning, high winds, large amounts of rainfall, hail, and thunder. Residents are advised to seek shelter away from windows. | Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should
be out on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. |
|
Tornado Watch |
Level Three Snow Emergency |
| Indicates that conditions are favorable for a tornado to occur within the time period that is described in the watch. | All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to arrest. |
|
Tornado Warning |
Flood Watches / Warnings |
| Indicates that a funnel cloud has been spotted and may be coming our way.
Emergency sirens will sound throughout the city and in areas of the county. Tornadic storms may also contain high winds, dangerous
lightning, large amounts of rainfall, hail, and thunder. Residents are advised to seek shelter in a secure area away from windows,
such as in a basement.
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Flood watches can easily transform into a flood warning. Flood watches indicate that local water
levels (lakes, ponds, rivers and streams) are rising to dangerous levels and could overrun their banks. Flood warnings indicate that the former has indeed happened, making roadways hazardous, and in severe cases causing areas to be evacuated. Flash floods happen in a very short time, and can recede nearly as fast as they appeared, but they can make roadways treacherous and rivers dangerous. |
