Sirens tested for safety

At noon on Saturday, May 18 you may have heard the siren go off that indicates a tornado warning. The tornado siren sounds different than the fire siren, a steady wail rather than the up and down siren for fire.

This siren will not sound unless a tornado warning or severe storm warning are issued that would include winds over 70 m.p.h. or hail the size of golf balls or larger.

Know that the siren will only go off if there is immediate danger in the vicinity. It will not sound if the weather is miles away.

While rare in the Bighorn Basin due to the surrounding landscape, it is a good idea to be tornado ready.

Hot Springs County Emergency Management starts each day looking at the Hazardous Weather Outlook created by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Riverton. That gives them the most up to date information up to seven days in advance.

A severe thunderstorm watch or tornado watch is typically issued six hours in advance if weather is expected in or near our area. Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma and then sent to the NWS in Riverton.

Severe thunderstorm warnings or tornado warnings are issued just minutes ahead and are based on conditions that are currently happening or about to happen. That gives you just minutes to take shelter, so being prepared ahead of time is a must.

If you hear the siren, time is of the essence. If you are outside, go inside and get more information through your radio or television. There will be interruptions to service for emergency alerts.

Please do not call 9-1-1 for information if you hear the siren. Dispatch will be handling things on their end and phone lines need to remain free in the case of citizens needing immediate medical assistance.

If you have a basement, go there.

If you do not have a basement, it’s best to move to an interior room in your house, away from windows. Cover yourself with anything that might pad and protect you such as a mattress.

If you are in a mobile home, leave immediately. You are actually safer in a ditch or low lying area during a tornado than you are in a mobile home. If possible, make arrangements with a friend or neighbor to shelter in their home in the event of a tornado.

The front lobby at the Hot Springs County Courthouse is open 24/7 if you cannot make those arrangements. Think well ahead of time what your plan will be in an emergency.

Keep in mind your car is not a safe shelter. If you’re in your car, drive away from the storm. If you think your car is in the path of a tornado, stop, get out and seek shelter in a ditch or other low lying area.

Do not take shelter under highway overpasses. The scene in the movie “Twister” with the characters hiding under the bridge does not work in reality. High winds intensify there and will suck you out from under the bridge.

After the storm has passed, be aware of possible flooding, including flash flooding. Keep an eye out for downed power lines as well.

A sample of the alert tone is currently available on the Hot Springs County Emergency Management Facebook page and will soon be available on the Hot Springs County website, hscounty.com.