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There are several
hazards that can affect Dickinson County, some are seasonal,
others could occur at anytime. Staying informed and educated
about these hazards is the ultimate key to staying safe.
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On average,
there are from 40 to 50 days each year that we deal with
thunderstorms in Dickinson County. Some of these turn
severe, containing winds over 57 miles per hour and/or hail
that is one inch in size or larger. Whether severe or not,
all thunderstorms contain lightning and that is very
dangerous, just by itself.
For more on thunderstorms:
Learn how they work
Thunderstorm safety |
Tree damage in Spirit Lake following high winds.
(6/20/2006) |
Crop damage near Milford following high winds.
(8/1/2006) |
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A tornado is
defined as a violently rotating column of air in contact
with the ground. Each year, several tornadoes touch down
in Iowa, most are weak EF0 or EF1 and produce minor
damage to trees and structures. Occasionally, we see
devastating EF5 tornadoes, producing winds over 200 miles
per hour. Tornadoes this size can obliterate homes, just as
we saw in 2008 in Parkersburg, Iowa.
For more on
tornadoes:
Learn how they work
Tornado safety |
Damage to a confinement building near Lake Park following a
weak (EF-0) tornado.
(8/13/2008) |
The front page of the Spirit Lake Beacon on June 20, 1968,
following the June 13 tornado that struck Arnolds Park. |
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Flooding occurs
regularly in Dickinson County, especially along the Little
Sioux River. Flooding, here, is usually contained to
surrounding fields and pastures. Occasionally, the river
will rise to the point of closing a few local gravel roads.
Occasionally,
periods of heavy rains can cause street flooding in our
area. Rain falls so fast that storm drains can't keep up and
the street floods. Never attempt to drive through a flooded
street.
For more
on floods:
Learn how they work
Flooding safety |
Flooding in West Okoboji Harbor during the great flood of
1993.
(Photo courtesy of Brian Craig) |
Street flooding in Spirit Lake following heavy rains.
(8/20/2007) |
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Residents of
northwest Iowa know that the winter months can be long, cold
and snowy. Winter storms can be fierce with high winds,
heavy snow, and bitterly cold wind chills. Being prepared
for these storms is critical. Winter storms can rage for
several hours or even for days, and it could be many hours
or days before roads can be reopened or power restored. You
should be prepared to spend, at a minimum, 72 hours on your
own.
For more on winter storms:
Learn how they work
Winter weather safety |
A Dickinson
County motor grader works to clear county road A31 east of
Arnolds Park following a March snow storm.
(3/2/2007) |
The front
page of the January 16, 1975, issue of the Milford Mail
following the infamous Blizzard of '75 that struck the area. |
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Terrorism is the
use of force or violence against persons or property in
violation of the criminal laws of the United States for
purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. Terrorists
often use threats to:
• Create fear
among the public.
• Try to convince citizens that their government is
powerless to prevent terrorism.
• Get immediate publicity for their causes
Acts of
terrorism include threats of terrorism; assassinations;
kidnappings; hijackings; bomb scares and bombings; cyber
attacks; and the use of chemical,
biological, nuclear and radiological weapons. |
The second
tower at the World Trade Center being struck by a hijacked
airplane on September 11, 2001. |
Local ag
producers gathered in Milford in March of 2008 to discuss
how bio-terrorism could affect the local agriculture
community and the ag economy of Iowa. |
