SEVERE WEATHER

The Johnson County Emergency Management Agency(EMA) controls the activation of the storm sirens in Johnson County. The Greenwood Fire Department is a backup activation center for the sirens listed below. These sirens include sirens in the City of Greenwood and also sirens in White River Township and New Whiteland territories.  Routine testing of the outdoor warning sirens will be conducted every Friday at 11:00 am. Guidelines set forth by Johnson County EMA and the Johnson County Fire Chief’s Association state that the weekly siren test will not take place if there are thunderstorms predicted in the area or during freezing conditions. If you are near one of these sites during a test or actual activation and notice something wrong with the siren, please call Greenwood Fire Headquarters at 317.882.2599. 

The siren system has been updated to a 2-way digital system that allows us to monitor the status of the sirens. We have several layers of redundancy that allow us or the Johnson County EMA to activate the sirens. 

In the event the Severe Weather Sirens are activated, all citizens and guests of Greenwood should seek immediate shelter and stay tuned to local television and/or radio broadcasts for a continual update of severe weather activity. 

Upon the issuance of a TORNADO WARNING by the Indianapolis forecasting office of the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed reports of a tornado sighting or Tornado activity present on their radar, the Severe Weather Sirens will activate and again urge all residents and guests to seek immediate shelter and stay tuned to a local weather broadcast for continued information. 

In the event that there is a confirmed TORNADO or FUNNEL CLOUD sighting in Johnson County, the Severe Weather Sirens will be activated and run continuously until the tornado has moved out of the area. Once again, please seek shelter and stay tuned to local weather forecasts for continuous updates. 

Once tornado conditions pass through the area, Johnson County DOES NOT sound an all-clear signal. This has proven to be very confusing to residents of other communities. Local weather broadcasts are your best source of information about severe weather as it approaches and when it passes through our area. 

Seeking Shelter from Severe Weather/Tornado 

Places of shelter from severe weather will vary greatly depending on facility designs and the availability of designated underground areas of shelter. 

The best shelter available is underground. This can be a basement, cellar, storage area, or a specifically built severe weather enclosure. Once in an underground area stay away from any windows and away from objects that could become flying projectiles in the event of a tornado. 

In the absence of any underground protection, move to the smallest interior room on the ground floor. Examples of these are bathrooms, closets, and utility rooms. Again, stay away from any windows and items that could become flying projectiles. Try to cover yourself with a mattress or other solid protective surface. One example that has been successful in the past is lying in the bathtub covered by a mattress. 

If you live in a mobile home, your park management may have a pre-designated shelter area for you. If not, your best shelter is to go to low-lying ground such as drainage ditches, swales, or other areas below grade. Be careful not to seek shelter in ditches or areas that have moving water, as any severe storm can create flash flooding situations in water runoff areas. In the event you have no alternatives, go to an interior closet or bathroom to seek shelter. Lying in a bathtub with a mattress covering you has proven successful for some people in the past. 

In an office environment that lacks underground protection, go to the ground floor and go to an interior closet or bathroom. If this is not an option, your best choice would be to position yourself under a desk on the ground floor to protect you from falling and flying objects. 

If you are out driving, walking, etc during a tornado, stop your car and go to the lowest-lying land available, stay aware of moving water and the potential for flash flooding during severe storms. Another alternative that has been an effective shelter for some in the past is interstate overpasses and bridges. Stay underneath and move to the very top of either end of an interstate overpass. Under bridges stay as high as possible underneath the bridge structure, and stay away from any rapidly moving water. 

More information about the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency can be found Here.  

 

  1. 1244 Fry Road, Greenwood

  2. 125 N SR135, White River

  3. 899 Honey Creek Road, Greenwood  

  4. 93 W Stop 18 Road, Greenwood 

  5. 307 Elmead Court, Greenwood

  6. 320 S Emerson Ave, Greenwood

  7. 1218 Cottages Way, Greenwood

  8. 755 N Graham Road, Greenwood

  9. 3030 CR 125 W,  Greenwood

  10. 5199 W Fairview Road, White River

  11. 1977 S SR135, White River

  12. 7000 W Stones Crossing Road, White River

  13. 5771 W Olive Branch Road, White River

  14. 4467 W County Line Road, White River

  15. 4800 W Stones Crossing Road, White River

  16. 1180 Berry Road, White River

  17. 401 Mooreland Drive, New Whiteland

  18. 1037 Hawthorn Bloom Drive, New Whiteland

  19. 499 W CR600 N, New Whiteland