USE OF PERKINS SCHOOL BUILDINGS AS STORM SHELTERS:
Due to staffing considerations, school storm shelter access to the public will be limited to the Intermediate school, located at 103 S.W. 2nd. Handicap access is available on the west end, north side of building 104.
The shelter will NOT be open if skies are clear, and the closest current threat is far away, EVEN IF WE ARE IN A TORNADO WATCH.
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As threatening conditions approach to within 30 minutes to an hour of the city, AND WE ARE IN A TORNADO WATCH, the shelter will then be open. Severe thunderstorm watches/warnings do not apply to shelter operations.
SHELTER POLICIES:
SHELTER WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ONLY AFTER SCHOOL HOURS
NO PETS
NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS… if you are under the influence,
shelter elsewhere
RESPECT THE PROPERTY… no larceny, no vandalism, no trash, or dirty diapers left when you leave
RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE… Be courteous and polite, or shelter elsewhere
SUPERVISE YOUR CHILDREN
Be aware that the school district is under no obligation to provide this service
If these rules are not respected, the school, or city, may terminate the shelter program
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
A tornado watch indicates that conditions exist that COULD possibly spawn a tornado in a general area, within an estimated period of time. This gives you an opportunity to be aware, and pay attention to conditions as they develop. It DOES NOT mean that a tornado is about to occur. As a matter of fact, very seldom do watches actually evolve into warnings.
A tornado warning indicates that, based on radar, media, weather service information, and storm spotter reports, a tornado is believed to be approaching the city
Warnings and watches are issued by the weather service by counties. This means that if a tornado is threatening Glencoe, a county wide tornado warning is issued. In this case, the sirens in Perkins will not be activated, because the immediate threat does not impact our city.
DO NOT wait for the city to be put into a tornado warning, or for the sirens to be activated before leaving to go to the shelter. It may be too late once the sirens are sounded, and being on the road during siren activation can be very dangerous, as late-goers are running helter-skelter to the shelter, usually without regard to the safety of others. It would be safer to shelter in place.
Be aware of possible severe situations by watching public media, or the National Weather Service web site. Use this information to determine when to go to the shelter.
You should also have a weather app on your phone, or a NOAA weather radio in your home or place of business, as warning sirens are not to be relied on if you are inside. Weather apps and NOAA radios may be programmed to advise you as watches and warnings are issued in your area. These devices are also battery powered, so they function in the event of electric power loss.