OSAGE COUNTY EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM USERS

Please log into the system and check your optional alert subscription settings.  If you need assistance or have questions please contact Osage County Emergency Management at 785 828 3323. 

"WE ARE A STORM READY COUNTY "

"BE PREPARED, HAVE A PLAN"  

 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DEFINITIONS:

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT FLOODING IS POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT IN THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA ARE ADVISED TO CHECK PREPAREDNESS REQUIREMENTS...KEEP INFORMED...AND BE READY FOR QUICK ACTION IF FLOODING THREATENS.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. 

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE
FOR HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER FROM ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.  IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A WOOLEN HAT AND GLOVES.  MAKE SURE YOUR FEET ARE WELL PROTECTED. 

     A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to produce tornadoes in and close to the watch area. A tornado watch must not be confused with a tornado warning: a watch does not imply that the severe weather is actually occurring; only that conditions have created a significant risk for it.

  A tornado warning means that a tornado is imminent - take shelter! Issuance of a tornado warning indicates that residents should take immediate safety precautions. Tornado warnings are based upon radar, spotter reports along with an understanding of the environmental conditions that can lead to tornado formation. 

  SEVERE WEATHER TERMINOLOGY 

  Severe Thunderstorm– The National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm warnings for thunderstorms that are currently producing or are capable of producing winds of 58 mph or stronger and/or hail one inch in diameter or larger. Severe thunderstorms often may be much stronger than this minimum criteria, so it is a good idea to take severe thunderstorm warnings seriously.

Tornado– A tornado is a violently rotating column of air, in contact with the ground, either pen-dant from a cumuliform cloud or underneath a cumuliform cloud, and often (but not always) visi-ble as a funnel cloud. A funnel cloud is a condensation cloud, typically funnel-shaped and ex-tending outward from a cumuliform cloud, associated with a rotating column of air.

Flash Flood– A flash flood is flooding that occurs very rapidly, usually within 6 hours of heavy rainfall. Flash flooding may occur along creeks, rivers or streams. It can also occur in low lying or urban areas where drainage is poor. Water levels can rise very quickly during flash flooding including locations that did not receive the heavy rainfall but are located downstream from areas that received an extreme amount of rainfall. Flash flooding can occur in the winter months when rain falls on existing snowpack and causes it to melt rapidly. Flooding is the number one severe weather killer in the U.S.  

 OPEN BURNING INFORMATION 

Osage County Fire Districts and Osage County Emergency Management ask that citizens refrain from any outside burning.  Please do not  carelessly discard smoking materials, burn trash, or start any type of outside fires.  Extremely dry and windy conditions have caused a high fire danger in Osage County.  Fires started under these conditions are difficult to control and strain the resources and manpower of local volunteer fire departments.

Before burning please check the rangeland fire danger (top right under links).  If conditions are right please contact the Osage County Sheriff's Dispatch Center at 785 828 3121 as to the time and location.  Osage County Fire Districts appreciate the notification and your cooperation.   Burn permits are not required in Osage County but you must follow guidelines from Kansas Department of Health & Environment.  If you have questions give us a call or contact your local Fire District.  

       Check out our new facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/osagecoem

OSAGE COUNTY RESIDENTS NEED A WEATHER RADIO?  

Osage County Emergency Management has received a grant to provide low cost weather radios to residents of Osage County. Cost is $12.00 each. Radios may be purchased from Osage Co. Emergency Management or Osage County Sheriff’s Office at 131 W. 14th St., Lyndon, Ks. 9:00 to 4:00 Monday thru Friday. For more information call 785 828 3323. Limit—1 per household/business, Osage County residents only. 

 OUTDOOR TORNADO SIREN TESTING--Conducted 1st & 3rd Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. of each month--Weather Permitting 

Need a reflective address marker?  Contact Fire District No. 1 Carbondale at 785 836 7252.

 

 

 

 

 

       

Bryce Romine

Director

bromine@oscosheriff.org

785-828-3323

Osage County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
P.O. Box 423
Lyndon, Kansas 66451-0423
785-828-3323

Next LEPC Meeting:  Pending 1st quarter of 2013.

Open to the public or send comments to the above address.  Meeting minutes and agenda can be obtained from the above address.

 

PUBLIC NOTICE 

 

Tier II Submission Information 

Facilities covered by The Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) must submit an emergency and hazardous chemical inventory form to the LEPC, the SERC and the local fire department annually. Facilities provide either a Tier I or Tier II form. Most States require the Tier II form. Tier II forms require basic facility identification information, employee contact information for both emergencies and non-emergencies, and information about chemicals stored or used at the facility:

  The chemical name or the common name as indicated on the MSDS;

• An estimate of the maximum amount of the chemical present at any time during the preceding calendar year and the average daily amount;
• A brief description of the manner of storage of the chemical;
• The location of the chemical at the facility; and
• An indication of whether the owner of the facility elects to withhold location information from disclosure to the public.

 For more information, or to get your Tier II form on line, view the EPA Website.  Mail LEPC copy to the address below.  Forward a copy to your local fire department.