Latest News
Statewide tornado drill 10 a.m., March 27
The City of Hastings encourages participation in the statewide tornado drill 10 a.m., Wednesday March 27.
This is a great opportunity for everyone to practice severe weather safely plans. This testing provides an opportunity for schools, businesses and citizens to review and practice their tornado safety measures, including going to a place of shelter.
Among city buildings, Hastings Public Library and Hastings Museum won’t participate in the March 27 drill because of the patrons in those buildings. Staff within those departments practice tornado drills at other times during the year.
The tornado drill is part of Nebraska and Iowa Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 25-29.
The statewide tornado drill also marks the beginning of the seasons for monthly testing of warning sirens.
The City of Hastings Outdoor Warning Sirens are tested at noon on the first Saturday of the month, April through October. That monthly testing begins April 6.
Siren testing will occur during the following dates:
- May 4
- June 1
- July 6
- Aug. 3
- Sept. 7
- Oct. 5
The Adams County sirens will only sound for the following reasons:
- Sustained Winds greater than 75 mph
- Hail larger than 2 ½ inches
- Tornado Warning
The safest place to shelter is the interior part of a basement. If there is no basement, go to an inside room, without windows, on the lowest floor. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet.
If you are outside or in a vehicle and you are not close to a sturdy building, lay flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head and neck. Watch out for flying debris.
Account for members of your staff to ensure that they are in shelter. Do not go looking for them.
During a warning, you should not rely on the outdoor siren to alert you as to when it is all clear. Stay in place until your supervisor or a person of authority tells you it is safe to return.
The emergency is not over when the sirens stop. Multiple activations mean imminent threats may still exist.
Utilize a NOAA weather radio, Phone Apps or the media to determine when it is safe to return.
Outdoor warning sirens are meant to be heard by those outdoors and is not a warning for those inside. Its purpose is to alert people to go indoors, take shelter and seek additional information.
The National Weather Service will lead a storm spotter training 6:30 p.m., April 1 at the Adams County Emergency Operations Center, 2965 S. Baltimore Ave.
To prepare a Family Disaster Preparedness Kit see the guide from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency here.
Published Date: 03/26/2024