Emergency Management

Platte County Emergency Management: Be Prepared for Any Threat

Platte County Emergency Management is committed to keeping our community safe before, during, and after emergencies. Here, you’ll find information on common threats in Platte County, along with specific preparedness tips for floods, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and winter storms.

Know Your Risks

Platte County faces a variety of hazards. Be prepared for

• Flooding – Heavy rains or ice jams can cause rivers and streams to overflow, threatening homes and businesses.
• Thunderstorms – These storms can bring damaging winds, hail, lightning, and flash flooding.
• Tornadoes – These powerful twisters can cause widespread destruction.
• Winter storms – Heavy snowfall and ice accumulations can lead to power outages and hazardous travel conditions.

Be Prepared for Every Threat

• Develop a family emergency plan. Discuss potential emergencies with your family and create a communication, evacuation, and sheltering plan.
• Build an emergency kit. Assemble a kit with essential supplies like non-perishable food, water, first aid, sanitation items, medications, a battery-powered radio, and a flashlight.
• Stay informed. Sign up for local emergency alerts and monitor weather forecasts from the National Weather Service.

Prepare Your Home for Specific Threats

Flooding 

• Know your flood risk. Check flood maps to see if your property is in a flood zone.
• Fill sandbags. Sandbags can help divert floodwater away from your home.
• Elevate important items. Move important documents, furniture, and electronics to higher levels in your home.
• Identify evacuation routes. Plan multiple evacuation routes in case roads become flooded.

Thunderstorms

•  Secure outdoor furniture. Bring in or secure loose items that could become projectiles in high winds.
• Check for surge protection. Protect electronics with surge protectors to avoid damage from lightning strikes.
• Have a safe place inside. Choose an interior room on the lowest level of your home away from windows and doors.

Tornadoes

•  Create a tornado shelter. Identify a sturdy, below-ground room in your basement or a designated storm shelter as your safe space.
• Tornado drill. Practice a tornado drill with your family so everyone knows where to go and what to do.
• Know the warning signs. Be aware of tornado warning signs like rotating clouds, a loud roar, and flying debris.

Winter Storms

• Insulate pipes. Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing and bursting. 
• Stock up on essentials. Have extra food, water, and medications on hand in case of power outages.
• Prepare for alternative heating. If you rely on electric heat, have a backup plan like a fireplace or wood stove.
• Clear snow and ice. Regularly clear snow and ice from walkways and driveways to prevent falls.

Report Damage

If your home or property has sustained damage after a storm or flood, you can text pictures to 402-910-8898 from your smartphone. Please include your name and address. You can also report your damage online to our damage assessment system. Please call 911 only if there are injuries or other life-threatening circumstances.

Stay Updated

Platte County Emergency Management will provide real-time updates during emergencies. Follow us on social media for the latest information.

 Together, we can build a more resilient Platte County!