COUNCIL BLUFFS – The Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), National Weather Service (NWS), and Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA) have joined together to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 24-28, 2025.

Preparedness starts with you. Each of us must take steps to know when severe weather threatens our families, schools, businesses, and institutions and what to do when severe weather impacts our communities. The more informed and prepared we are, the more resilient and safer our communities are. Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity to highlight the importance of being aware of, and prepared for, severe weather through a different focus each day:
• Monday – Lightning Safety
• Tuesday – Tornado Safety
• Wednesday – Preparedness & Statewide Tornado Drill
• Thursday – Hail and Wind Safety
• Friday – Flood Safety

The annual statewide tornado drill will take place on Wed., March 26, beginning at 10 a.m. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in each community around the county. Everyone is encouraged to practice their family or facility emergency sheltering plans during the drill. Additional information about the tornado drill can be found on the emergency management website.

For more preparedness information, and a daily video release on each of the week’s topics, visit the web page https://www.pottcounty-ia.gov/emergency_management/severe_weather_awareness_week/. Videos will also be posted on the emergency management X, Facebook, and YouTube sites. Remember to sign up for free severe weather and emergency alerts at https://www.pottcounty-ia.gov/emergency_management/alert_iowa/