Emergency Management

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About Emergency Management

The office of Emergency Management is responsible for dealing with all aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness for, response to, recover from, and mitigation against all types of major emergencies or disasters. We are responsible for creating the Franklin County Emergency Operations Plan, aimed at being a quick and structured response during disasters making use of public resources to help with damage assessment and resource coordination following disasters, as well as assist with recovery needs ensuing disastrous events.

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Before the Storm

  • Develop a plan for you and your family for home, work, school, and when outdoors.
  • Have a NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm and battery back-up to receive warnings.
  • Designate a shelter area in your home. Basements or storm cellars are the safest. Otherwise, use an interior room or hallway on the ground floor.
  • When planning a trip, listen to the latest forecasts and take necessary action. Thunderstorm Safety Tips
  • Get or stay inside if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder.
  • If swimming or boating, get out of the water immediately and take shelter.
  • When caught in an open area, move to a low spot such as a ravine or valley, but beware of flash flooding.
  • If you see or hear a thunderstorm coming, get inside a sturdy building or car.
  • Feeling your hair stand on end means lightning is about to strike nearby. Make yourself into a small target. Squat down on the balls of your feet – do not lie flat on the ground. Place your hands over your ears and tuck your head between your knees.
  • If you come upon flood water, turn around don't drown. 

Thunderstorm Warning

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means there is a severe thunderstorm in the area. Stay indoors. Monitor local weather broadcasts for current information. Lightning, large hail, high winds, blowing debris and flooding are possible.

REMEMBER: Tornados can form during thunderstorms.

Tornado Safety Tips

  • Be prepared to take shelter at any time, since some tornadoes develop so quickly that advance warning is impossible.
  • Watch the sky for funnel-shaped clouds and pay attention to tornado danger signs – dark, greenish sky, large hail and a loud roar similar to a freight train.
  • If you live a mobile home, find a sturdy building nearby where you can take shelter. Mobile homes offer little protection in a tornado.
  • Stay away from windows.
  • Know the locations of designated shelter areas in places like schools and shopping centers.
  • Head for the designated shelter or a central area on the lowest floor of the building.
  • Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car. If caught outside or in a vehicle, as a last resort lie flat in a ditch or depression.
  • Stay out of large flat roof buildings with open areas such as supermarkets or shopping malls.
  • Watch out for debris – especially broken glass – and downed electrical lines.
  • Be careful when entering a tornado damaged building. Make sure the walls and roof are in place and the foundation is sound. 

Tornado Warning

A Tornado Warning means that a tornado is occurring or likely to occur. Take shelter immediately. Listen to your local TV or radio for weather updates.

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