Contact Emergency Management
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Contact Emergency Management |
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| Emergency Management |
114 North Oates Street - Dothan, AL 36303 |
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(334) 677 - 4834 |
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Fax: |
(334) 793 - 3550 |
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Dothan/Houston County |
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This system will consist of 25 outdoor warning sirens located throughout Dothan and Houston County. We hope to add additional sirens to the system as funding allows. Click on map for full size view
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| The Sirens will be used to notify the
public of several different types of incidents. These will include
Tornado Warnings, Major Hazardous Materials Incidents/Homeland Security
Incidents. The Following tones will be used: (Hi-Low) - Tornado Warning:
listen to the warning tone (mp3) When the warning tones are heard, please turn to your local radio and television stations for further information. Please DO NOT CALL 911 as this ties up emergency lines that are reserved for Emergencies Only. This warning system has been established and funded through a joint effort of the Dothan/Houston County Emergency Management Agency, Houston County Commission, Dothan City Commission, the Department of Homeland Security and the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Additional Assistance has been provided by the municipalities throughout the county, the Houston County School System, the City of Dothan Public Works-Electric Dept., City of Dothan Radio Shop and other agencies and departments. In addition, the 3 sirens in Ashford, Gordon and Columbia are being provided through the cooperation of Southern Nuclear Company and Farley Nuclear Plant. The Dothan/Houston County Emergency Management Agency will serve as the primary activation point for this system. The Dothan Communications Center will serve as the backup activation point. Installation of this system has begun. Operation will begin July 1, 2005. TORNADO SAFETY TIPS Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that descend from thunderstorms and come in contact with the ground. A Funnel Cloud is also a violently rotating column of air but it never touches the ground. A Funnel Cloud becomes a Tornado when it touches the ground. Tornadoes can have wind speeds that vary from 60MPH to 300MPH. Though a tornado can move in any direction, most tornadoes move from the southwest toward the northeast. A "Tornado Watch" is issued for large area or state for a period of time (usually about 6 hours in length) in advance of a significant tornado outbreak. This would be on a day when atmospheric conditions favor the development tornadic thunderstorms." These watches will likely be followed by "Tornado Warnings" throughout the life of the watch. A "Tornado Warning" is issued when a developing tornado has been detected by National Weather Service Doppler Radar or if a tornado has been spotted. A "Tornado Warning" is usually issued for one or two counties. WHAT TO DO IF THE TORNADO WARNING SIREN TONE (HI-LO) SOUNDS: listen to Hi-Low Sound If a "Tornado Warning" is issued for HOUSTON County, you should seek shelter immediately. In general, get as low as you can. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety. Put as many walls between yourself and the the outside as possible. AVOID WINDOWS AT ALL COST! Homes or small businesses: Go to the lowest floor or basement and to a small interior room such as a hallway or closet in the center of the home. If you can, get under something sturdy and heavy like a table or workbench and protect yourself with heavy coats or pillows, blankets or quilts. Stay away from windows! Don't bother opening or closing the windows as it will make no difference. You will only waste valuable seconds that you can use to get to a safer place. Schools, hospitals, factories and shopping centers: Go to a pre- designated shelter area. Basements are best but, interior hallways on the lowest floor offer the best protection. Close all doors to the hallway for greater protection. Mobile home residents and automobiles: Leave them and go to a strong building. Automobiles and mobile homes offer no protection from a tornado. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
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