“When I took this job six years ago there was not a rated storm shelter in Winston County.” Those were the words of Emergency Management Director, Buddy King concerning the state of preparedness of the county. King continued, “The Courthouse was recognized as a building of refuge, but it was never built as a tornado shelter.”
However, on April 28, 2014, as a killer tornado tore its way through Winston County with its sights set on Louisville, dozens and dozens of people sought refuge in the Courthouse. So many, in fact that emergency responders whose offices are in the bottom floor of the building could not work there.
Since that time, preparedness measures have vastly improved in the local communities. The Louisville Municipal School District has constructed a storm shelter at Nanih Waiya Attendance Center. Initial dirt work has begun for a 12.5K sq. ft. shelter next to the elementary school in the heart of Louisville.
Other storm shelters have been established at: Mars Hill Fire Dept., Noxapater City Hall, Dean Park, District 1 and District 3 Barns, and Highpoint Fire Dept. These smaller shelters are rated for 30-35 people, but in the event of severe weather can hold more. King said that there are plans for even more shelters, and is hoping to possibly partner with area churches.
There has also been a large increase in the number of people purchasing storm shelters for their homes, and some even adding them as additions to their existing homes, with the average cost of these shelters between $3.5K and $4K.
Concerning warning systems, Winston County now has 13 weather sirens dispersed throughout the county. In 2015, the CodeRed warning system became available to county residents. Link for the CodeRed system can be found on the county EMA website at:
www.winstoncountyema.com. Residents will also receive updates from the EMA Twitter feed at: @Winston EMA. King stated that in an emergency such as the 2014 tornado, information is critical.
Whereas, there is a recognized ‘hurricane season’ beginning on June 1 there is no such ‘tornado season.’ King said, “There are historical trends, we know. The worst month in history is April, into May. A tremendous number of our storms here, throughout history have occurred during the last week of April.” King added that these trends usually
coincide with changes in weather patterns, and that there has never been a tornado in Winston County in June, July or August.
King advised that in the event of a tornado warning, residents should know the location of the nearest storm shelter, and alternate routes to reach that location, as well as the next closest shelter. Alert family, friends and neighbors with the information that is available.
King stated that Winston County’s level of preparedness is much better than it was on April 28, 2014.
