Severe Weather Awareness Week is being observed through Friday (3/27/26) this week, and Butler County Emergency Management Coordinator Chris Showalter says it’s a reminder that Iowans must be ready for rapidly changing conditions as the state transitions from winter storms into spring and summer severe weather season.
Each day of the week focuses on a specific topic, including lightning safety, tornado safety, preparedness, hail and wind safety, and flood safety. Showalter says one of the most important things residents can understand is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
“So if we go into a tornado watch, that means that the conditions are favorable to produce tornadoes… When we get into that warning type of situation, that means that there is a confirmed tornado either on the ground, been verified by a trained spotter that’s been reported, or a radar indicated tornado within the area… and at that point in time… get indoors, get to your basement or lowest level of your house as possible.”
Showalter also emphasizes that outdoor warning sirens are meant to alert people who are outside, meaning residents should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. Showalter also spoke about the dangers of flooding.
“The biggest thing with any type of flooding type scenario is don’t drive through the water over the roadways… use the turn around, don’t drown type things. It doesn’t take very much water flowing to actually float a vehicle… get to high ground and just avoid driving through any of the floodwaters.”
A statewide tornado drill is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m., with monthly siren tests planned through November. Showalter’s comments came as part of the daily Newsmaker podcast with Mitch Williams with the full interview available at RadioOnTheGo.com.
