From damaging winds and large hail to flooding and the threat of tornadoes, individuals and businesses in Douglas County are at risk from severe weather. It’s up to each of us to know the right steps to take to ensure our safety should severe weather strike. This is why Douglas County Emergency Management is hosting several severe weather awareness activities. They are:

• Weather 101 – Wednesday, Feb. 26, 7-8:30 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds, Building 21, 2120 Harper Street.  This course is free and will cover information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of important features, and severe weather safety and preparedness. Weather radios will be available on site for purchase. 

• Severe Weather Symposium – Saturday, March 7, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire Street. This advanced severe weather event is a half-day of training designed to provide instruction in advanced storm development, spotter safety, and the importance of spotter reports. The presentations will include incredible storm videos, experts in the field from the public and private sectors, and will conclude with a panel discussion with the presenters, National Weather Service meteorologists, and local television meteorologists. The cost is $15. For more information or to register, visit: http://dgcoks.org/symposium.

• Weather 101 — Thursday, March 26, 7-8:30 p.m., Eudora Public Safety Building, 930 Main Street. This course is free and will cover information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of important features, and severe weather safety and preparedness. Weather radios will be available on site for purchase. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED to help protect the health of residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training - Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency situations in which individuals will initially be on their own and where their actions can make a difference. Participants will learn basic skills in medical operations, light search and rescue, fire safety, triage, preparing pets for disasters, and disaster psychology, as well as learning how to be prepared for any emergency or disaster. On Sunday afternoon, the class will have a chance to put their new skills in action by participating in a disaster scenario. The CERT course is free but registration is required! To register, visit: bit.ly/DgCoCERT.