Severe Weather & Tornado Preparedness
Severe storms can happen any time of the year. The Eureka Fire District would like to remind residents of the following weather warnings and actions that should be taken. We encourage everyone to have a weather radio in your home and office. Weather radios can be used for early warnings related to these hazardous weather conditions.
Weather Alerts
To see current weather alerts for Eureka, click here.
To view a current weather radar for our region, click here.
Code Red
Residents of Eureka and Jefferson County are invited to enroll in the Code Red Programs for those specfic communities. CodeRED emergency notification system is a communication service available for emergency notifications such as severe weather alerts.
Weather Warnings & Actions That Should Be Taken
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. A severe thunderstorm contains large damaging hail of 1 inch diameter or larger, and/or damaging winds greater than 58 mph or greater. Isolated tornadoes are also possible but not expected to be the dominant severe weather event. These watches are issued for large areas by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, and are usually valid for five to eight hours.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Tornado Watch
Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area. These watches are issued for large areas by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, and are usually valid for five to eight hours. A Tornado Watch means watch the sky!
Tornado Warning
Strong rotation in a thunderstorm is indicated by Doppler weather radar or a tornado is sighted by Skywarn spotters. A Tornado Warning means seek shelter immediately! Go to an interior room with NO windows on the lowest possible floor. If you are at school or work DO NOT GO to a cafeteria, gymnasium or large interior open space because the roof might collapse. LEAVE MOBILE HOMES IMMEDIATELY -- seek shelter in a nearby building or in a ditch.
Flash Flooding
During a thunderstorm, low-lying areas are prone to flash flooding and having water on the road. Never drive into water on the road. If your car stalls, get out of your car immediately and seek higher ground. It takes less than two feet of water to make your car float. Once floating downstream, your car can overturn trapping you inside.