Spring means it's time to prepare for weather emergencies

Long-awaited spring has — finally — arrived and with it the potential for weather as gentle as light rains and as dangerous as straight-line winds and tornadoes. Now is a good time to prepare for possible emergencies but reviewing the notification methods and disaster response plans you have in place and ensuring that your family members and co-workers are well-versed in what to do if a weather emergency occurs.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Johnson County’s Emergency Notification System (JCENS), a free alert system that relays local emergency weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service, via voicemail, text or e-mail. To register, visit jecc-ema.org/jcens.
Outdoor emergency warning sirens located throughout Iowa City and Johnson County also provide notification. On the first Wednesday of each month, sirens are tested at 10 a.m. to ensure that they’re working properly. The sirens will be sounded if tornado activity is indicated by Doppler radar or if reports are received from trained tornado spotters. Sirens will also be sounded for severe thunderstorm warnings when winds reach speeds of 70 mph, since these winds can snap or uproot trees, or when golfball-sized hail, that can break winds, is produced.
The sirens run for three minutes and may be sounded multiple times to warn of continued or new threats. Johnson County does not issue an all-clear signal.
When sirens begin to sound, people who are outside should head indoors and tune in to local media for more information. A NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio is also recommended for weather alerts and information. These radios are designed to wake and alert people when a warning is issued, so they can take action.
Sirens will not be sounded for every storm, but that does not mean that other storms don’t pose a risk. Winds lower than 70 mph — which would not prompt a siren signal — can bring down tree branches or overturn objects, causing the potential for serious injury. The presence of lightning is also a threat. Residents are urged to use common sense during storm events and take whatever precautions are necessary.
Families and businesses are urged to have an emergency and disaster response plan in place, including an emergency supply kit, a family communications plan and information on where to seek shelter in case of an emergency. For more information on how to prepare a plan, visit ready.gov or the emergency preparedness page on the Johnson County website.