Disasters and Emergencies

Tornadoes touching down in field

Tornadoes

When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. 

Severe thunderstorm with lightning striking a field

Severe Thunderstorms

Know your area’s risk for storms. In most places they can occur year-round and at any hour.

Flooded houses surrounded by sandbags with flood rescue raft transporting people

Floods

Floods are the most common natural disaster.  Learn how to stay safe when a flood threatens.

Thermometer topping out at 100 degrees as sun beams down

Heat

Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers, resulting in hundreds of deaths each year.

Vehicles driving through intense snow on interstate

Winter Weather

Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, and heart attacks.

Building on fire

Fires

Every year, fires cause thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars in property damage.

Iowa crude oil spill by train accident

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials are chemical substances, which if released or misused can pose a threat.

Road cracked from earthquake activity

Earthquakes

Although earthquakes in Iowa are extremely rare, the threat always exists nonetheless.

September 11 Memorial with hand holding flower

Terrorism

Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

Landslide over road

Landslides

The force of rocks, soil, or other debris moving down a slope can devastate anything in its path.

Nuclear power plant with smoke rising into the sky surrounded by trees

Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear power plants have generated about 20% of United States electricity since 1990.

Tree ripped out of the ground by the roots in a city neighborhood

Derechos

Derechos are fast-moving bands of thunderstorms with very destructive winds.