Jerauld County Emergency Management

10/05/2026

10/02/2026

Wow! 🤯 What an incredible show of talent last night! This training exercise proved that our first responders have what it takes to adapt and overcome any obstacles placed in front of them. Many different inconveniences were written into this scenario. Anywhere from equipment tagged that it somehow doesn’t work😏 to a mystery chemical drenching a patient and the vehicle or even patients having an underlying medical conditions. All the first responders hit the nail right on the head keeping the forward pace! We inundated Avera Weskota with multiple patients with a wide variety of injuries, and they too did not miss a beat! Also I cannot thank our actors (patients) enough. They did an outstanding job and took their rolls to the next level! Mr. Duxbury landed us with students from the Springs FFA along with his wife Danielle and son Drew! Keep your eyes peeled for the full story coming up in the True Dakotan!! Thank you everyone who participated and thank you as well to the communities that support these fine groups of first responders!!!

Wessington Springs Volunteer Fire Department
Jerauld County Ambulance
Jerauld County Sheriff
Alpena Fire Department
Sanborn County Ambulance Service
Woonsocket Fire Department
Sanborn County, Sheriff Sanborn County
South Dakota Highway Patrol
Avera Weskota Memorial Hospital
Wessington Springs FFA
Jarod Reiner -vehicles
Brian Baldwin
Brady Duxbury
Danielle Duxbury &Drew
Firesteel Ranch -location
Huron Dispatch
Mitchell Public Safety Dispatch

10/01/2026

🚨 Tonight at 6PM will begin the multi-jurisdictional training. You will hear the fire whistle and sirens throughout town. This mock drill will take place at the 34/281 junction. Many agencies will be involved, including Avera Weskota Hospital. This training helps keep our first responders skills top notch.

Agencies include:
Jerauld County Ambulance
Wessington Springs Fire Department
Jerauld County Sheriffs Department
Alpena Fire Department
Jerauld County Emergency Management
Sanborn County Ambulance
Woonsocket Fire Department
Sanborn County Sheriffs Department
South Dakota Highway Patrol
Avera Weskota Hospital
Avera Weskota Manor
True Dakotan
Jarod Reiner

06/30/2026

Reminder: Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM in the Courthouse community room.

06/09/2026

A Tornado Watch remains in effect for Jerauld County until midnight; please remain on alert to changing weather conditions this evening.

06/03/2026

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 271
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
405 PM CDT Wed Jun 3 2026

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Tornado Watch for portions of
Far Western Minnesota
Southeast North Dakota
Central and Eastern South Dakota

* Effective this Wednesday afternoon and evening from 405 PM
until 1100 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include...
A couple tornadoes possible
Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
to 2 inches in diameter possible
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible

SUMMARY...Thunderstorms are expected to develop along and ahead of a
cold front moving southeastward across the central Dakotas. If a
discrete storm mode can be maintained, environmental conditions
support supercells capable of all severe hazards, including
tornadoes and isolated very large hail. Storms along the front will
likely be more linear, with damaging gusts as the primary risk.

The tornado watch area is approximately along and 55 statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles northwest of Fargo ND to 50 miles south of Chamberlain SD. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

06/02/2026

Anyone is welcome to attend, if you want to help keep our county safe and proactive.

04/13/2026

🚨 JERAULD COUNTY TORNADO DRILL 🚨

📅 Wednesday, April 15th
⏰ 10:15 AM

Jerauld County residents, businesses, and schools are encouraged to participate in this county-wide tornado drill.

🌪️ DURING THE DRILL:
• Take shelter as if it were a real tornado warning
• Practice your emergency safety plan
• Identify your safest shelter locations

⚠️ IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Use this time to review severe weather safety guidelines with your family, employees, or students.

Be sure everyone understands the difference between:
🔥 Fire Whistle
🌪️ Tornado Siren

Preparedness saves lives.
Stay aware. Stay ready. Stay safe.