Planning, warning key to coping with severe weather

Nevada Daily Mail

Preparation and awareness are crucial for surviving severe weather events.

That was the message of Dennis Kimrey, Vernon County's emergency management director.

Kimrey has been in his position 12 years. Previously, he worked for the state health department and enjoyed a long career at 3M, where he retired.

He had previous experience working with emergency management before his current appointment.

Kimrey told the audience at the Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon that the county was part of a larger collective of national and state organizations and networks that provide "a lot of expertise," in preparing and coping with severe weather.

Kimrey noted his office had responded to two tornadoes in Vernon County, March 12, 2006 in the southeast corner of the county, and the last one in the Schell City area June 2, 2008.

"But weather has changed the last several years," he noted. Tornadoes used to follow one pattern but that pattern has changed to an east turning to southeast path, Kimrey said.

Fortunately, the technology and understanding of weather events has also changed, he said.

"We're always learning. I've seen a lot of changes the last 10 years - the warnings, the alerts, the communication and training that is out there. There are applications for smart phones that can provide weather updates.

"And the weather radio is probably the best tool you can have at your house. The radio will have a battery backup so you can take it with you.

"If you purchase one and you're not sure how to get it to work, our office will help program it. Just call us.

"I have several apps on my phone," he continued, one of which is a radarscope through the Red Cross that provides tornado alerts.

Having both the weather radio and the phone apps are a matter of being prepared, he said.

"The apps may go off before radio. It's all about timing."

There are a number of online resources available that can be accessed by your phone and your computer, he added.

"There are various programs and live news chats that will keep you updated.

"These provide real time communication and responsive instant messaging.

"The ones that I use allow me to see everything going on in our region. It's a very helpful tool."

The county emergency management office is connected to a network of law enforcement and emergency responders, schools, and media.

"There a lot of mutual aid resources," said Kimrey. "We can see electronic boards in real time. Our system in the county is tied into the weather service."

In response to a question from the audience, Kimrey said there were no public storm shelters in the county.

"How would you place that many people in a building," he asked. "And where would you locate it? Then there's the problem of getting to the shelter.

"We recommend to shelter in place."

Kimrey said he advises residents to register their shelter's location with the county, especially if it is in the basement or outside the home.

"Even if it's a room inside the house, we still would prefer you to register.

"This gives us the location in your house or cellar. We also ask that you tell us how many people will be there so we have that information.

"We advise people to register too if they have a shelter in their business."

In building a shelter, Kimrey said to build an entry door that opens inward and not out, noting that in the Joplin tornado, shelter doors were often blocked by debris, leaving the occupants trapped.

"There are federal guidelines to follow for your door that will help," said Kimrey.

In addition to tornadoes, residents should be mindful of earthquakes.

"I have earthquake insurance myself. I may be one of the few in the county," he said.

The last earthquake in the region was outside of Linn County, southeast of Mound City, Kan., Nov. 13, 2014.

"The fault line is on the edge of Missouri and Kansas."

In response to another question from the audience, Kimrey said he hopes to have a storm spotter and weather awareness class next year.

Several members noted that they found the information very useful, even though they weren't planning on being storm spotters.

"The federals have been funding this but that funding is being cut," he said. "There's a lot of good information there. I hope we have separate classes for spotters and for weather awareness. It may have to be in conjunction with other counties (to be able to put on the class)."

Kimrey closed by asking how many had a safety plan for their family or business that would cover any time when they were home or away.

"This would include not only supplies but knowing where to meet and having contact numbers. If you're traveling or your family members are scattered, they need to know what to do in emergencies."

A suggested supply list can be found at www.ready.gov.