Water Safety: Make Every Second Count

Whether you’re spending time at a swimming pool, lake, river, or reservoir, water safety should always be a priority. Drowning can happen quickly and often silently, making active supervision essential.

When children are near water, designate a responsible adult to serve as a “water watcher” and avoid distractions such as phones or conversations. Young children and inexperienced swimmers should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when around open water. Even strong swimmers can encounter unexpected currents, drop-offs, or fatigue.

Before heading out on the water, check weather conditions and ensure boats are equipped with required safety equipment. Never swim alone and remember that alcohol and water activities can be a dangerous combination.

Lightning Safety: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors

Summer thunderstorms often develop quickly and can produce dangerous lightning. Lightning can strike miles away from a storm, even when skies overhead appear clear.

If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move indoors immediately and remain inside until at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. A substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle offers the best protection.

Avoid open fields, isolated trees, bodies of water, and metal objects during a thunderstorm. If you are boating or swimming when a storm approaches, get off the water and seek shelter as quickly as possible.

Beat the Heat

High temperatures and humidity can create dangerous conditions, especially for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic health conditions.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

Know the warning signs of heat-related illnesses. Heat exhaustion can cause heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and may include a body temperature above 103°F, confusion, loss of consciousness, or hot, dry skin. Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke.

Never leave children, pets, or vulnerable adults unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. Interior temperatures can become deadly very quickly.

Summer Storms and Flooding

Summer storms can bring damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding. Stay informed by monitoring weather forecasts and ensuring you have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.

Flash flooding is especially dangerous because it can occur with little warning. Never drive through flooded roadways. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, and twelve inches of water can carry away many vehicles.

Remember the simple message: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

Take time now to review your emergency plans, identify safe shelter locations, and assemble or refresh your emergency preparedness kit.

Outdoor Recreation Safety

Whether you’re hiking, camping, attending festivals, or enjoying local parks, preparation can make all the difference.

Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Carry water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a fully charged cell phone. Be aware of changing weather conditions and have a plan to seek shelter if storms develop.

If you’re spending time in wooded areas, check yourself, your children, and pets for ticks after returning home. Tick-borne illnesses become more common during the warmer months.

Fireworks Safety: Celebrate Responsibly

Fireworks are a popular part of summer celebrations, especially around Independence Day, but they can cause serious injuries and start fires if not used properly.

Always follow local laws and regulations regarding fireworks. If you choose to use consumer fireworks, only purchase them from reputable vendors and carefully read all instructions before use. Keep a bucket of water, garden hose, or fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency.

Never allow young children to handle or ignite fireworks. Even sparklers can burn at temperatures exceeding 1,000°F and can cause severe burns. Maintain a safe distance from active fireworks and never attempt to relight a firework that fails to ignite.

Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from homes, vehicles, dry grass, and other combustible materials. After fireworks have finished burning, soak them thoroughly with water before disposing of them.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending a professional public display, where trained personnel handle the fireworks and safety measures are in place.

Stay Connected and Stay Prepared

Emergencies don’t take vacations, but preparation can help reduce their impact. Summer safety starts with staying informed, planning ahead, and making smart decisions before hazards arise.

Take a few minutes this season to review your family’s emergency plans, check your emergency supplies, and ensure everyone knows what to do when severe weather threatens.

A little preparation today can help ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone.

Many people assume that if something serious happens, everyone automatically gets notified. In reality, emergency alerts are delivered through several different systems, and each one serves a different purpose. Some alerts are automatic and sent broadly, while others are locally targeted and require residents to opt in. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), for example, are the loud notifications that appear on cell phones during major events. These alerts are issued through FEMA and delivered through cell towers, and they are typically reserved for the most serious, immediate threats such as tornado warnings tagged as “Considerable” or “Catastrophic,” flash flood emergencies, evacuation notices, and AMBER Alerts. However, not every severe weather warning triggers a Wireless Emergency Alert, which is why it is important for residents to have additional ways to receive emergency information.

Another important tool is NOAA Weather Radio, which broadcasts directly from the National Weather Service and provides warnings 24/7. Weather radios remain one of the most reliable ways to receive alerts, especially overnight, during power outages, or in rural areas where cell service may be weaker. Outdoor warning sirens are another familiar warning method, but they are designed primarily to alert people who are outside. Sirens are not intended to be heard indoors and should not be relied on as the only source of warning, particularly at night when people are asleep.

In addition to these systems, counties often use local emergency notification systems that allow emergency management agencies to send information directly to residents through phone calls, text messages, and emails. These local systems can be used for a wide range of incidents, including severe weather updates, flooding, road closures, boil advisories, hazardous materials notifications, sheltering information, public safety concerns, and other community emergencies. Unlike Wireless Emergency Alerts, these systems often require residents to sign up in advance to ensure their contact information is included.

Bartholomew County Emergency Management is currently transitioning from the Everbridge emergency notification system to a new system called CodeRED, powered by Crisis24. Everbridge alerts will continue through the end of August, and residents will receive a 30-day notice prior to discontinuation. As we move through this transition, it is important for residents to register for CodeRED as soon as possible to avoid missing future emergency notifications.

CodeRED is a trusted emergency alert system used by communities across the country. It allows emergency officials to send rapid notifications to specific neighborhoods or the entire county, depending on the situation. This gives Bartholomew County the ability to provide timely, accurate information and guidance during emergencies, including situations where residents may need to take protective action immediately. Signing up is free, quick, and strongly encouraged for every household in the county.

Registration can be completed by texting “BartholomewCountyIN” to 24639, or by scanning the QR code provided on Bartholomew County Emergency Management outreach materials. After registering, residents should save the official CodeRED alert numbers in their phone contacts to prevent messages from being blocked or filtered as spam. The voice alert number is 206-536-3695, and the text alert number is 36475.

Signing up for alerts is an important first step, but there are additional ways residents can ensure they receive warnings when they matter most. Phone notification settings should be checked to confirm that emergency alerts, text notifications, and calls are enabled. Wireless Emergency Alerts can be turned on or off in phone settings, and disabling them could prevent important warnings from coming through. It is also important to keep contact information updated, especially after moving or changing phone numbers, since address-based alerts rely on accurate location information. Finally, residents should use multiple sources of emergency information, including CodeRED, NOAA Weather Radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and trusted local media. No single system is perfect in every situation, but using several methods greatly increases the chance of receiving critical warning information quickly.

Emergency alerts are one of the fastest ways emergency management can share life-saving information with the public, but they can only help if they reach you. By registering for CodeRED, verifying your phone settings, and using multiple alert sources, you can better protect yourself and your family during severe weather and other emergencies. Bartholomew County Emergency Management encourages all residents to take a few minutes today to sign up for CodeRED so you are ready when the next emergency happens.

That is why programs like Skywarn and CoCoRAHS remain essential tools for emergency management and public safety operations.

What is Skywarn?

Skywarn is a volunteer program coordinated by the National Weather Service that trains individuals to recognize and report hazardous weather. Skywarn spotters are taught how to identify storm features, determine what is significant, and communicate accurate information safely and effectively.

During severe weather, these reports can include tornado sightings, funnel clouds, hail size, damaging winds, lightning impacts, and storm-related damage. While radar can detect rotation and estimate hail potential, it cannot always confirm what is happening at ground level. That is where spotters become critical.

Why Skywarn Spotters Are Important

Emergency management decisions often depend on timely and accurate information. When Skywarn-trained spotters report confirmed hazards, it helps emergency managers and the National Weather Service validate radar signatures and determine the severity of a storm. In some cases, spotter reports can be the deciding factor in whether a warning is issued, upgraded, extended, or allowed to expire.

Skywarn reports also help local officials understand what parts of the county are being impacted. This improves situational awareness and allows emergency management to notify the public more accurately, coordinate with first responders, and deploy resources more effectively.

Most importantly, these reports help ensure warnings are not just timely, but also credible.

The Value of Trained and Reliable Reporting

One of the most important aspects of Skywarn is the training itself. Weather events can be confusing in the moment, and inaccurate reports can cause unnecessary alarm or lead to poor decision-making. Skywarn training teaches spotters what to look for, how to estimate hail size and wind damage, and how to report observations in a clear and useful way.

This improves the quality of information being shared with the NWS and local agencies. When reports are consistent and reliable, emergency management can respond with greater confidence.

What is CoCoRAHS?

CoCoRAHS, which stands for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network, is another volunteer-based program that focuses on measuring and reporting precipitation. CoCoRAHS observers take daily rainfall measurements and submit them to a national database used by meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, and researchers.

While Skywarn is often focused on immediate storm hazards, CoCoRAHS provides valuable information before, during, and after weather events- especially heavy rain and flooding.

Why CoCoRAHS Matters to Emergency Management

Flooding is one of the most common and costly weather hazards in Indiana, and rainfall amounts can vary dramatically across short distances. One neighborhood may receive two inches of rain while another receives five. Radar estimates can help, but they do not always reflect what actually reached the ground.

CoCoRAHS observers fill in those gaps by providing accurate rainfall totals that help emergency management track rainfall trends, verify flood impacts, and better understand which areas are most vulnerable.

These reports are especially valuable during flash flooding events, widespread heavy rain, or winter weather where snow totals may differ from one community to the next. Over time, this data also helps identify patterns and supports long-term planning efforts related to flood mitigation and infrastructure.

How These Programs Support Public Safety

Both Skywarn and CoCoRAHS contribute directly to public safety in ways that many people may not realize. Spotter reports help confirm dangerous conditions quickly, giving communities more accurate warnings and helping responders prepare for damage or rescues. Rainfall and snowfall measurements support flood forecasting, road safety decisions, and recovery efforts after storms.

These programs strengthen the connection between the public, emergency management, and the National Weather Service. They represent an important reminder that preparedness and response is a shared responsibility.

How to Get Involved

Residents who are interested in weather and want to support their community can make a meaningful impact by becoming involved. Skywarn training is offered regularly through the National Weather Service and teaches the basics of storm spotting and reporting. CoCoRAHS is open to anyone willing to take consistent precipitation measurements and submit reports.

Volunteers do not need to be meteorologists. They simply need a willingness to learn, follow safety guidance, and report what they observe accurately.

A Stronger Community Through Better Information

Severe weather will always be a part of life in Indiana, but having trained spotters and dedicated observers makes a real difference in how well we respond. Skywarn and CoCoRAHS provide emergency management and the National Weather Service with the information needed to make better decisions, issue more accurate warnings, and protect lives and property.

Emergency management is grateful for the residents who volunteer their time to support these programs. Their efforts help keep Bartholomew County safer, more informed, and more resilient when storms strike.

In Bartholomew County, severe storms most commonly occur from March through June, with another smaller peak sometimes occurring later in the summer. While tornadoes are often associated with late afternoon and evening storms, they can happen at any time of day or night. Overnight tornadoes are especially dangerous because people are asleep and may not receive warnings in time. This is why having multiple ways to receive alerts is critical. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms can develop rapidly, and even storms that do not appear extreme at first can intensify in a matter of minutes.

One of the most important things to remember is that tornadoes are not the only major hazard during severe weather season. Straight-line winds from thunderstorms can be just as destructive as a weak tornado, causing trees and power lines to fall, damaging homes, and creating dangerous debris. Large hail can damage roofs, vehicles, and windows, and lightning remains one of the most consistent threats during storms in Indiana. Flooding is also a frequent concern, especially when repeated rounds of storms move over the same area, overwhelming drainage systems and creating hazardous road conditions.

Tornado Safety: Where to Go

When a Tornado Warning is issued for Bartholomew County, it means a tornado has been detected by radar or reported on the ground. At that point, you should take shelter immediately. The safest place inside a home is the lowest level of the building, in a small interior room away from windows. Basements are ideal. If you do not have a basement, a bathroom, closet, or interior hallway on the lowest floor is your best option. Avoid windows, exterior walls, and large open rooms like living rooms, gyms, or auditoriums, as these areas are more likely to collapse or become filled with flying debris.

If possible, protect yourself further by covering your head and neck. Use a helmet, heavy blanket, mattress, or thick coat to shield yourself from debris. Most tornado-related injuries occur from flying objects and collapsing structures, so taking a few extra seconds to protect yourself can make a major difference.

Mobile Homes and Manufactured Housing

Mobile homes and manufactured homes are extremely dangerous places to be during a tornado, even if the home is tied down. High winds can easily overturn or destroy these structures. If you live in a mobile home, you should have a plan ahead of time to get to a more secure shelter. This could be a nearby permanent building, a designated storm shelter, or the home of a neighbor. Do not wait until the warning is issued to decide where you will go because by then, it may be too late. If a Tornado Warning is issued, leave immediately if you can safely do so and move to a sturdy building.

If you cannot reach a safe structure, your last resort is to get as low as possible in a ditch or low-lying area, covering your head and neck. This is not ideal and should only be used when there is absolutely no safer option available.

If You Are in a Vehicle

Being in a vehicle during a tornado warning is extremely dangerous. Tornado winds can flip cars, toss trucks, and turn debris into deadly projectiles. If you are driving and a Tornado Warning is issued, the best option is to get to a sturdy building immediately. If you can safely reach a gas station, store, restaurant, or other solid structure, do so and move to an interior room away from windows.

If you cannot reach a building, do not try to outrun the tornado unless you are certain you can drive out of the storm’s path. Tornadoes can change direction suddenly, and rain-wrapped tornadoes may be impossible to see. Avoid sheltering under bridges or overpasses, as wind speeds can increase in these areas and debris can become trapped, making the situation even more dangerous. If you are truly out of options, pull over, keep your seatbelt on, put your head down below the window level, and cover your head with your arms or a blanket. If you can safely get out of the vehicle and move to a low area away from trees and vehicles, lying flat and covering your head may reduce risk, but this should be treated as a last resort.

If You Are Outside

If you are caught outside during a Tornado Warning, immediately seek shelter in a strong building. If no building is available, move to the lowest ground possible, such as a ditch or depression, and cover your head and neck. Stay away from trees, power lines, and anything that could collapse or fall. Do not remain in open fields if you can avoid it, and do not seek shelter under highway overpasses.

If you are at a large outdoor venue, event, or park, identify shelter options ahead of time and know where you will go if weather deteriorates. Severe weather can develop rapidly, and large crowds take time to move.

Lightning Safety

Lightning is one of the most common and underestimated threats during storm season. Lightning can strike miles away from the main storm core, even when rain is not falling. If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. The safest action is to move indoors immediately. Avoid open fields, hilltops, tall isolated trees, and metal fences. If you are indoors, stay away from windows, avoid using corded electronics, and do not shower or use plumbing during a storm, as lightning can travel through pipes.

A good rule to follow is: When thunder roars, go indoors. Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.

Flooding and Heavy Rain Threats

Flooding can become a major hazard in Bartholomew County, especially when storms repeatedly move across the same area. Even a few inches of moving water can sweep away vehicles, and flooded roadways may hide damage beneath the surface. Never drive through standing water. If you cannot see the road, do not attempt to cross. Remember: Turn around, don’t drown. Many flood-related deaths occur in vehicles, and most are preventable.

Be especially cautious at night, when flooding is harder to recognize. Watch for water pooling on roads, creeks rising quickly, and low-lying areas that are prone to flash flooding.

Be Prepared Before the Storm Hits

Preparation is the most effective tool for staying safe during severe weather season. Every household should have a plan and know where to go if a warning is issued. Take time now to identify your safest shelter location, practice getting there quickly, and make sure everyone in the home understands the plan. Keep an emergency kit ready with basic supplies such as flashlights, extra batteries, chargers, medications, sturdy shoes, and helmets if available. Severe storms can lead to power outages, blocked roads, and delayed emergency response.

Residents should also ensure they have multiple reliable ways to receive warnings. Outdoor sirens are designed to alert people who are outside and may not be heard indoors, especially during heavy rain, high winds, or overnight storms. Weather alerts should come from NOAA Weather Radio, cell phone emergency alerts, trusted weather apps, and local emergency management messaging.

Severe weather season is not something to take lightly, but preparation and awareness can significantly reduce the risk to you and your family. Tornadoes, damaging winds, lightning, hail, and flooding can all impact Bartholomew County during spring and summer storms. The best time to make a plan is before storms are in the forecast. Know your safe place, know how you will receive warnings, and take action immediately when a warning is issued. A few minutes of preparation today can save lives when severe weather strikes.

Stay weather-aware, stay informed, and be ready to take shelter when it matters most.

For us in Bartholomew County, this week carries particular importance. Our location in south central Indiana places us at risk for a wide range of hazardous weather, including tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and flash flooding. Spring and early summer often bring rapidly changing weather patterns that can intensify quickly, leaving little time to react. Severe Weather Preparedness Week gives our community a structured opportunity to pause, assess our readiness, and ensure that both public safety agencies and residents are prepared to act when warnings are issued.

Throughout this month, the Bartholomew County Emergency Management Agency will be intensifying its preparedness efforts across several key areas. We will assist in conducting drills and exercises designed to test coordination, communication systems, and response procedures during simulated severe weather incidents. These exercises allow us to identify potential gaps, refine protocols, and strengthen interagency collaboration before real-world events occur.

In addition to exercises, our staff will focus on training and professional development. This includes reviewing severe weather response procedures, reinforcing incident command principles, and ensuring our public warning and alerting systems function effectively. Continuing education is critical in emergency management, as it ensures our team remains current on best practices and evolving guidance related to storm response, damage assessment, and community recovery operations.

As storm season progresses, the EMA personnel will also increase severe weather monitoring activities. During heightened risk periods, we closely track forecasts, outlooks, watches, and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Real-time situational awareness allows us to coordinate with local officials, support first responders, and assist in disseminating timely and accurate information to the public. Prompt monitoring and communication are essential to providing residents with the information they need to take protective action.

Flood threat monitoring is another key focus during this time of year. Heavy rainfall events, saturated ground conditions, and rising waterways can quickly create hazardous situations in low-lying areas and along creeks and rivers. By monitoring rainfall totals, soil conditions, and river levels, and by maintaining communication with weather partners, we are better positioned to anticipate potential flooding concerns and coordinate response efforts as needed.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week ultimately underscores a shared responsibility. While emergency management agencies and partner organizations prepare behind the scenes, individual households also play a vital role. Reviewing emergency plans, identifying safe shelter areas within homes, ensuring multiple methods of receiving weather alerts, and assembling or updating emergency kits are all practical steps that enhance personal safety. When communities prepare together, resilience grows stronger.

As we enter the heart of severe weather season, Bartholomew County EMA remains committed to preparedness, proactive monitoring, and coordinated response. Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a timely reminder that preparation today strengthens our ability to protect lives and property tomorrow.

At its core, emergency management is about coordination. When severe weather threatens our area, including the city of Columbus and our rural communities, our role is to bring agencies, resources, and information together quickly and efficiently. A common misconception is that us emergency managers forecast the weather. We work closely with the National Weather Service to monitor developing conditions and interpret forecasts so local leaders can make informed decisions.

Before the Storm

Long before dark clouds gather, emergency management is already at work. Preparedness is one of our primary responsibilities. This includes:

• Developing and maintaining severe weather plans

• Coordinating training and exercises with first responders

• Supporting warning systems and communication tools

• Working with schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses on preparedness planning

We also collaborate with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and neighboring counties to ensure our plans align with state and regional resources. Severe weather does not respect jurisdictional boundaries, so preparation must be coordinated beyond them.

During the Storm

When severe weather strikes, our role shifts to coordination and situational awareness.

Emergency management does not replace first responders- rather, we support them. While law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, and public works are responding in the field, we focus on:

• Monitoring real-time weather data and official warnings

• Maintaining communication between agencies

• Coordinating resource requests

• Supporting shelter operations if needed

• Providing timely, accurate public information

If the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated, it becomes the central hub for information and decision-making. From there, we track impacts, identify unmet needs, and help allocate resources where they are needed most.

After the Storm

Once the immediate threat has passed, recovery begins.

Emergency management coordinates initial damage assessments, compiles documentation, and works with local and state partners to determine whether state or federal assistance may be available. We also evaluate our response to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. Every event, no matter how small, provides an opportunity to strengthen our preparedness.

Why It Matters

Severe weather can change quickly. Having a structured, coordinated system in place ensures that our community can respond effectively under pressure. Emergency management serves as the bridge between weather information and operational action: turning forecasts into preparedness steps, warnings into coordinated response, and impacts into recovery efforts.

Our goal is simple: protect lives, reduce property damage, and help Bartholomew County recover as quickly as possible when severe weather occurs.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. When the community stays informed, has a plan, and heeds warnings, it strengthens the entire system. And behind the scenes, your emergency management team will continue doing what we are trained to do: prepare, coordinate, and support our county through every storm.

Our office is responsible for planning and coordinating the county’s overall response to emergencies and disasters of all types. This includes severe storms, high winds, flooding, winter storms, hazardous materials incidents, cyberattacks, and other events that may impact public safety. We work closely with local first responders, county departments, municipalities, utilities, healthcare partners, schools, volunteer organizations, as well as state and federal agencies to ensure a coordinated and effective response when emergencies occur.

A major part of what we do happens before an emergency ever starts. Developing emergency plans, conducting training and exercises, maintaining situational awareness, and helping the public understand potential risks and how to prepare for them are all a part of our day-to-day. During an incident, we support decision-makers with information, coordination, and resource management, then we assist with distributing public information to help residents stay informed and safe.

Weather monitoring and public alerts are a key part of our daily operations. We continuously monitor weather conditions and forecasts, work closely with the National Weather Service, and help translate weather information into clear, actionable messages for the public. We share timely updates, safety information, and preparedness guidance so residents can make informed decisions.

After an emergency, Bartholomew County Emergency Management plays a critical role in recovery efforts, which includes damage assessments, coordination with state and federal partners, and helping the community return to normal as quickly and safely as possible.

Our goal is simple: to build a safer, more prepared Bartholomew County. We encourage residents, businesses, and organizations to stay informed, have a plan, and be ready- because preparedness is a shared responsibility.