Preparedness Tip of the Month

During a Tornado

With tornadoes having the ability to touch down in a matter of minutes, Michigan residents need to be prepared to quickly react and launch an emergency plan.

Inside:

• If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately. If there is a tornado watch in your area, monitor local media and seek shelter when thunderstorms approach.
• If you are in a building—like a home, small building, school or business—go to a pre-designated safe room, basement, storm shelter or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a smaller interior room, such as a closet or hallway, that is away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
• Once you are in lower level room of a building, make sure to protect your head and neck.
• Make sure to bring your emergency preparedness kit to your pre-designated safe room to have emergency supplies ready in the event help cannot reach you right away.
• If you live in a mobile home, exit the home and immediately go to a designated storm shelter. Even when mobile homes are tied down, they offer very little protection from a tornado.

Outside:

• If you are outside during a tornado, the only safe location is a sturdy permanent building. Seek that shelter immediately. Go to the lowest level and seek shelter in an interior room without any windows.
• If you cannot get to a shelter, get to your vehicle and drive to the nearest shelter. If flying debris occurs while driving, pull over and park. Stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt on, covering your head and lying below the windows. If you can safely get to an area noticeably lower than the road, exit the vehicle and lie in that area covering your head with your hands.
• DO NOT seek shelter under an overpass or bridge. These are some of the most dangerous locations and you will be exposed to flying debris.
• Stay away from objects that can be easily blown around. Most people injured from tornados from flying debris.
• If you are boating, go to land and seek shelter immediately.

Lt. Robert Kirk

Director- Office of Domestic Preparedness Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office 205 S. Kalamazoo St Paw Paw, MI 49079 Phone: 269-657-7786 Fax: 269-657-7787 Email:  kirkr@vbco.org

Website:  https://vbcsheriff.com/office-of-domestic-preparedness

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[2016/10/20] Van Buren County, 219 E. Paw Paw St., Paw Paw, MI, www.vbco.org

Due to the projected extremely cold temperatures the Village office will be closed tomorrow January 30 and weather permitting will resume regular business hours January 31, 2019.

As of 1/29/2019

Open and Potential warming centers and potential shelters for Van Buren County for upcoming cold weather Wednesday and Thursday:

Open:

Bangor Train Depot, 541 Railroad St, Bangor, MI 49013

Designated as a 24/7 warming center for the remainder of the week.

South Haven Community Church, 1045 E Wilson St, South Haven, MI 49090

Contact: Barb Guthrie

269-214-2749

Will be a warming station from Tuesday, January 29, 4:00 pm through Friday, February 1, 2019, 10:00 am. Those wishing to stay overnight should be there each night by 5:00 pm when a dinner will be served Breakfast will be served Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:00 am. Space is limited so people will be taken in on a first come first served basis.

Please do not bring alcohol, tobacco products, illegal drugs, weapons of any kind and pets.

Do bring prescribed medication and personal hygiene products.

Some Cots and blankets will be provided by the Red Cross. You may want to bring additional ones if available.

Decatur Police Department Lobby, 114 N Phelps St, Decatur, MI 49045

Potential Warming Centers if Needed:

Will be opened as needed: Call Lt. Kirk prior to sending anyone to these locations

Hartford Methodist Church, 425 E Main St, Hartford, MI 49057

Contact Information:

Robbie Harting-Fire Chief

Hartford Fire Department

436 East Main Street

Hartford, MI 49057

Station (269) 621-4707

Cell (269) 757-4355

Fax (269) 621-3519

Hartford Federated Church, 65418 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford, MI 49057

Contact Information:

Ben Williamson

269-910-0979

Lilly of the Valley Church, 30600 M-140, Covert, MI 49043

Pastor Darryl Williams

269-767-1026

Bloomingdale Conservation Club, 16681 41st St, Bloomingdale, MI 49026

Richard Stone

(616) 293-0352

Gobles Junior Academy, 32110 6th Ave, Gobles, MI 49055 

Contact information:

Chad Higgins

248-935-8282

Freshwater Church, 600 E Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Contact Information:

Erica Frazier

616-368-0971

Red Arrow Ministries, 31133 E Red Arrow Hwy, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Contact Information:

Ben Bowater

269-779-7338

Lawrence Township Hall (Old Lions Club), 411 N Paw Paw St; Lawrence, Michigan 49064

Contact information:

Donna Spinner

269-370-3406

1^st Presbyterian Church, 119 E Delaware St Hwy M-51, Decatur, MI 49045

Contact Information:

Pastor Katie Hartwell

269-423-4781

773-372-2741

Will work with Carl Druskovich to coordinate services

Holy Family Catholic Church, 500 W Saint Marys St, Decatur, MI 49045

Contact Information:

Carl Druskovich

Lawrence United Methodist Church, 122 S Exchange St, Lawrence, MI 49064

Contact Information:

Kim Thompson

269-655-4458

Lawrence Community Emergency Services, 205 North Paw Paw Street, Lawrence, MI 49064

Contact Information:

Chief Mike Anchor

269-655-7466

Due to the weather the Scheduled Planning and Personnel meetings have been canceled.