Tornado Safe Room

The safe room population will consist of students/staff/visitors from North Iowa Community School District. The maximum number of safe room occupants is 702.

Definitions

The definitions below play an important part in the Safe Room Operations and Maintenance program. The City of Buffalo Center Severe Storm Warning Procedure states that the warning siren will be sounded day or night when severe high winds, funnel cloud, or tornado is reported within 30 miles of Buffalo Center and headed in the general direction of the city. A more detailed Severe Storm Warning Procedure is outline below:

  • Tornado Watch
    • Conditions are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Safe room team will be alerted by the fire department officer on duty once a watch has been issued.
  • Tornado Warning
    • A tornado has been sighted by spotters or indicated by radar, and is occurring or is imminent in the warning area. Safe room team will be activated once a tornado warning has been issued.
  • Severe Thunderstorm Watch
    • Conditions are conducive to the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. The officer on duty will closely monitor the storm for indications of high winds and potential tornado.
  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning
    • A severe thunderstorm has been observed by spotters or indicated by radar, and is occurring or is imminent in the warning area. The officer on duty will closely monitor the storm for indications of high winds and potential tornado.