The potential for severe storms this weekend has prompted the Allen County Department of Emergency Management to remind residents of community storm shelters throughout the county.
In Iola, the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, the old Lincoln and McKinley elementary schools and now the Allen County Rural Volunteer Fire Department will be unlocked if tornadic weather is imminent.
In Humboldt, shelters have been built at Cannon Park, the Humboldt Water Plant, the swimming Pool and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Humboldt City Hall also will be opened if conditions warrant.
Moran has shelters at the city park and behind the library at 319 N. Cedar St.
LaHarpe has three shelters, at Seventh and Jackson streets at the park, Ninth and Jefferson streets just east of the Christian Church, and south of City Hall at 10th and Broadway streets.
Gas has multiple shelters as well: Fees Park; behind City Hall at 205 N. Stanley St.; at the north end of Barney Lane; at the intersection of Second and Humphrey streets; at the south end of Morrill Street; at the intersection of Walnut and Daly streets; at Stanley and Third Streets and near the old Gas Elementary School building.
Carlyle has a shelter at the Carlyle Presbyterian Church, Mildred’s is at the southeast corner of Third and Sixth streets; Elsmore’s is at the intersection of Second and Main streets; Savonburg has two, at Railroad and Main streets and at the corner of Walnut and Main. Petrolia’s is at the east end of Third Street.
THE NATIONAL Weather Service will present its annual “Storm Fury on the Plains” presentation at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, in the Creitz Recital at the Bowlus.
Meteorologists will explain the different types of storms, features to help a person recognize a storm’s potential severity; and how to report hazardous weather safely and accurately.
