As National Preparedness Month comes to a close, remember to make readiness a priority throughout the year. Create and practice an escape plan, get a NOAA Weather Radio, build an emergency kit and have multiple ways to receive alerts about dangerous situations! Preparedness starts at home!

Working on the farm! Dane County Emergency Management supported the Village of Brooklyn last week, as the Luke Bryan Farm Tour made its return to Dane County. Our team filled planning, operational, and communication roles, along with the help of partners from multiple agencies.

Are you prepared to leave your home quickly during a fire or other emergency? Take time during National Preparedness Month to create or review an emergency escape plan. If you or someone in your home would need help evacuating, identify who can provide that help and make a plan with them. #NPM2025

Every home should have an emergency kit that includes basic supplies to keep you and your family safe for up to 72 hours. Kits should include items such as non-perishable food, bottled water, a first aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and essential medications. #NPM2025

From fires and floods to tornadoes and blizzards, there are a wide range of potential disasters that could affect Dane County residents. September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more about how you can be better prepared to respond to an emergency at www.danecounty.gov/PressDetail/...

REMINDER - Dane County's monthly outdoor warning siren test will take place at around noon on Wednesday, September 3. While there is rain in the area this morning, we do not anticipate severe weather in Dane County today. Learn more at em.countyofdane.com/notification...

Heading out this Labor Day weekend for one last summer adventure? Be ready for whatever the open road may bring: • Pack an emergency kit • Check traffic conditions and be prepared for delays • Wear your seat belt and avoid distractions while driving

It’s been 20 years since an F3 tornado touched down in Dane County, leaving a 17-mile path of damage through several communities. There was one death and 23 injuries attributed to the August 18, 2005 storm, which destroyed 69 homes and damaged more than 300 others.

Dane County Emergency Management staff were in Milwaukee County this week to help assess the damage caused by recent devastating floods. Our staff joined teams made up of experts from across the state who went out in the community to collect information from affected residents.

As many people heard, Friday’s backup test of the outdoor warning siren system was successful. Thank you to the everyone who took time to report hearing sirens throughout the county. Dane County’s next scheduled test of the outdoor warning siren system is September 3.

Dane County Emergency Management will proceed with plans to conduct a second monthly test of the county’s outdoor warning siren network on Friday, August 8 at noon. This backup test was scheduled after the Wednesday, August 6 test was unable to proceed due to a technical issue.

An unknown technical issue caused the Dane County network of outdoor warning sirens to fail the monthly test that was scheduled for noon on Wednesday, August 6. A new test has been scheduled for noon on Friday, August 8. More information at www.danecounty.gov/PressDetail/...

REMINDER - Dane County's monthly outdoor warning siren test will take place at noon on Wednesday, August 6. Please contact us at [email protected] if a siren did not sound at all at noon or it did not sound for three minutes.

It’s Community Night Out season and Dane County Emergency Management will be attending several this year! This week, we are excited to join the Oregon, Middleton, Waunakee, and Cross Plains Police departments for their events.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing unhealthy air quality levels across Dane County and Wisconsin. This can cause headaches, difficulty breath, fatigue and other health issues. Be careful outdoors, especially if you have health issues that can be made worse by poor air quality.

Southern Wisconsin will see an Extreme Heat danger this afternoon into the evening. ☑️ Stay indoors in air conditioning whenever possible. If your home doesn't have AC, find a cooling center or public building that has air conditioning ☑️ Remain hydrated ☑️Check on family and neighbors #ReadyWI

Another day of hot weather, with a Heat Advisory in effect for Dane County through 8:00 p.m. Monday. Drink water, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and find a cool place to rest! With a risk of storms later tonight, have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts!

Expect hot weather ahead today, with heat indices of 100°F-105°F possible this afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for all of southern Wisconsin from 11:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. this evening. Beat the heat by taking steps to keep yourself, loved ones, and pets cool!

Dane County has been added to a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that's in effect until 9:00 p.m. Friday. There are currently severe storms moving through southwestern Wisconsin that have produced tornado warnings. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings!

Bacteria, chemical run-off, sewage, debris, animals…these are all things that could be hiding in floodwaters after a storm. Entering flooded areas can put yourself and others in danger.

During tornadoes, thunderstorms, or flooding, how will you be notified? Have multiple ways to receive alerts. Wireless Emergency Alerts on your smart phone, notifications directly from local government, a NOAA Weather Radio, or watching local media can help you know when to head to safety!

Hitting the road for the Independence Day holiday weekend? Be sure to pack an emergency kit. Remember to check weather conditions and traffic information along your route before you head out!

REMINDER - Dane County's monthly outdoor warning siren test will take place at around noon on Wednesday, July 2. Please contact us at [email protected] if a siren did not sound at all at noon or did not sound for 3 minutes.

Thursday has potential severe storms in the forecast again. Stay weather aware and have multiple ways to receive alerts about dangerous conditions! Wireless Emergency Alerts on your cell phone, mobile weather apps, local media and a NOAA Weather Radio are all great ways to be alerted. #wiwx

Lightning can be a serious danger during a thunderstorm. Last year, 12 people were killed across the U.S. in lightning strikes. When you see lightning or hear thunder, head inside to a fully enclosed building or vehicle. June 24 is Lightning Safety Awareness Day in Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Dane County until 9 p.m. Monday. A watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop. If severe weather develops a warning may be issued. Have multiple ways to receive alerts in case that happens. #wiwx

On a hot day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes. Never leave people or pets behind! #LookBeforeYouLock

When temperatures climb, watch out for signs of heat-related illness. If you start feeling overheated, weak, dizzy, nauseated, or have muscle cramps, move to air conditioning, drink water, get under a fan, and put on cool washcloths. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve, go to the emergency room.

Dane County and southern Wisconsin are under a Heat Advisory through Monday evening. Plan ahead by having reliable access to drinking water and limiting your time outdoors. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, check for community spaces that are open during the hottest parts of the day.

Dane County Emergency Management was proud to once again participate in Safety Saturday, which took place last weekend on the Capitol Square in Madison. Our team appreciates having the opportunity to teach the community how they can be more prepared to stay safe during an emergency or disaster!

REMINDER - Dane County's monthly outdoor warning siren test will take place at around noon on Wednesday, June 4. Please contact DCEM at [email protected] if: -A Dane County siren did not sound at all at noon -A Dane County siren did not sound for three minutes

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Dane, Green, Iowa, Rock, and Lafayette counties until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3. Stay weather aware and be ready to move to a safe location if severe weather develops! #wiwx

The National Weather Service forecasts a slight risk of severe storms developing Tuesday afternoon and evening, followed by a chance for heavy rain. Review your sheltering plans and stay weather aware – have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts! #wiwx

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to impact air quality in Wisconsin through tomorrow. This could have negative health impacts on sensitive groups. An Air Quality Advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday. Check current conditions at www.airnow.gov

Hitting the road for the holiday weekend? Plan ahead and be prepared! Pack an emergency kit, carry a cell phone charger in your vehicle, and pay attention to weather and traffic conditions along your route!

Heavy rain can lead to flooding. Never drive or walk through floodwaters. There could be hazards hiding beneath the surface that put you and others in danger! #wiwx

Doing some spring cleaning in the yard this weekend? Check your gutters and downspouts to make sure they are debris-free and pointed away from your foundation.

Storms could develop quickly this afternoon. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts and a plan for where to seek shelter! If you will be outside or commuting, know where the nearest shelter is located and how to get there quickly if a warning is issued.

With the potential for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the forecast, it's a good time to review where to go if a warning is issued. Put as much distance between you and outside as possible by heading to a basement or ground floor interior room. Stay away from windows and exterior walls.

There is a risk of severe storms and tornadoes in southern Wisconsin on Thursday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service. Plan ahead and have multiple ways to receive alerts and warnings!

REMINDER - Dane County's monthly outdoor warning siren test will take place at around noon on Wednesday, May 7. Please contact DCEM at [email protected] if: -A siren did not sound at all at noon -A siren did not sound for three minutes

Our new harm reduction vending machines have been busy during their first month in operation, dispensing 258 items and counting! These machines offer critical supplies for free, such as doses of naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and xylazine test strips.

If storms strike late at night and you are inside your home, you may not hear outdoor warning sirens. Have multiple ways to receive alerts, including Wireless Emergency Alerts, a NOAA Weather Radio, and local media. #wiwx

With severe weather in the forecast today, have multiple ways to stay informed. 📻 Get a NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup 📱 Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your cell phone 📺 Check in with local media for updates Sign up for emergency alerts - em.countyofdane.com/emergency-al...

It’s a few days out, but the National Weather Service is forecasting a risk of severe storms on Monday. Stay weather aware and up to date on the forecast. Review shelter plans and ensure you have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings and alerts! #wiwx

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to those who help keep everything running at DCEM! Thank you for all you do! #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay

Did you know that Dane County’s outdoor warning sirens may sound for something other than a tornado? Severe thunderstorm warnings with a “destructive” damage designation will also activate a siren, if it is in the warning area. Outdoor warning sirens are an alert to go inside and seek more info.

Wisconsin's statewide tornado drills will take place today (April 10) at 1:45pm and 6:45pm. Dane County does NOT sound its outdoor warning sirens during the drills. Sirens are only activated when a warning is issued or during testing on the first Wednesday of the month at noon.

Lightning can be a major threat to safety during severe weather season. When you see lightning or hear thunder, head indoors! #wiwx #LightningSafety

When a drug overdose occurs, having quick access to life-saving medications could make the difference between life and death. Dane County has deployed two new harm reduction vending machines to help improve free access to those medications. Learn more at www.danecounty.gov/PressDetail/...