Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the National Weather Service have designated March 25 through March 29 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Every year in the United States, hundreds of people are killed and thousands injured because of the weather. Dangerous weather can take many forms, ranging from violent tornadoes to crippling winter storms.

The ‘Big Event’ of Severe Weather Awareness Week is the annual statewide tornado drill which will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, according to Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator. Outdoor sirens and Emergency Alert Notifications will be activated throughout Cass County at or near 10:15am. This drill will be an excellent opportunity for Cass County residents, businesses and schools to practice their own procedures in the event of severe weather.

To register for the Cass County Emergency Notification System, go to links located on the Cass County homepage (http://www.casscountyiowa.us/) or the Cass County EMA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CassCoEMA). If you need assistance, please contact Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator at 712-243-1500.
While there is nothing we can do to stop dangerous weather from affecting us, there are things we can do to stay safe when the weather turns nasty.

Kennon states that residents should know the weather hazards they may face. Heavy snow, blizzards, flash flooding, fog, lightning, high winds and tornadoes are all possible threats here in Iowa. Monitor weather forecasts, pay attention to watches and warnings, be aware of what is going on around you and have a plan to stay safe.