MUSCATINE, Iowa - With the Meteorological spring upon us, the Muscatine County Emergency Management Agency wants to remind those in the county to start preparing for severe storms. On average, Muscatine County residents can experience thunderstorm warnings that are capable of producing damaging winds, lightning, hail, and even tornadoes.
The Muscatine County Emergency Management Commission is in the process of updating the outdoor warning system sirens. Many of these sirens were the 1960’s civil defense warning devices. Each year, the Commission approves a budget to replace four (4) sirens for the fiscal year.
“The outdoor warning sirens have been updated and include the communities of Atalissa, Conesville, Fruitland, Nichols, Stockton, West Liberty, and Wilton,” Emergency Manager Brian Wright said. “The City of Muscatine has also had updates and will now be the focus of the updates until the project is completed.”
In cooperation with the Muscatine Area Geographic Information Consortium (MAGIC), a link has been created for Muscatine County residents to pinpoint where the outdoor warning sirens are located. Click on the following link to view the locations: OUTDOOR SIRENS.
Free National Weather Service Storm Spotter Training
For those interested in becoming storm spotters, the National Weather Service will be conducting virtual (on-line) training beginning March 9th and continuing through early April. All classes are free, last around 2 hours, and are open to the public. Click QUAD CITIES STORM WATCHERS for more information.
Testing and Activation of the Muscatine County-Wide Outdoor Warning System
The Muscatine County Emergency Management Agency has established a Guidance policy for Testing and Activation of the Muscatine County-Wide Outdoor Warning System. As a reminder, sirens are used to alert those who are outdoors of an imminent hazard and prompt them to go indoors and seek further information. The information will available to the general public through the county and other municipality’s websites.