Ripley County EMA Encourages Weather Preparedness

Residents should have multiple ways to receive alerts/warnings.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - Ripley County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Ripley County Fire Chiefs Association wants to remind residents about the importance of family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility and residents of Ripley County are encouraged to prepare their homes, businesses, and communities for any type of emergency. People are encouraged to take important steps like getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed about the different emergencies that may affect them, as well as taking the necessary steps to get trained and become engaged in community preparedness and response efforts.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wilmington OH issues alerts/warnings for Ripley County. With the exception of the City of Batesville (some Severe Thunderstorm Warnings also included), outdoor warning sirens in the county are only activated when the NWS issues a Tornado Warning. Most outdoor warning sirens are operated by local volunteer fire departments as firefighters, when available, respond to the station to set them off. Outdoor warning sirens are designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching and are not meant to be heard inside a structure. Some volunteer fire departments also use outdoor sirens, in addition to pagers, to alert firefighters to respond to the station for normal everyday emergencies.

Some communities also operate and maintain storm shelter/safe haven where residents can go when a Tornado Warning is issued. For further information and locations please contact your local fire department or municipality.

Residents should have multiple ways to receive alerts/warnings including weather radios, wireless emergency alerts (WEA) enabled, phone apps, social media, and the Ripley County Mass Notification Service (CodeRED).

For more information on emergency preparedness or the CodeRED service please visit www.ripleycounty.com or contact Ripley County Emergency Management Agency at 812-689-0505 or by email to ema@ripleycounty.com.