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2013 Siren Test Schedule Begins Wednesday, April 3
A full 3 minute siren test will be heard every Wednesday morning, weather permitting. This is a routine test to ensure the sirens operate when needed. Questions? Contact us
Siren Test Day is Wednesday morning in Rochester. Sirens are a way to alert you to go indoors and seek shelter. A siren system is used to alert people outdoors of tornados, or other life-threatening conditions. When you hear a siren, go indoors and tune to local news for more information. Another source for updated information is Rochester Alert website.
Siren system test is every Wednesday morning at 10 am. Testing the system allows us to make sure sirens will work when needed.
Summer test schedule: Full 3 minute test each Wednesday morning (April - September) at 10 am.
Fall/Winter test schedule: Partial 1 minute test first Wednesday morning (October - March). Growl test on remaining Wednesday mornings at 10 am.
What is a growl test? Is the siren broken?
During late fall and winter, a "growl" test is performed 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Wednesdays. A growl test momentarily starts the siren, and quickly shuts down. It might seem like the siren is broken, but if heard during late fall/winter, it's just a growl test.
Flood Insurance - Do you need it?
Flooding is the #1 natural hazard in the United States. The flood protection program by the City of Rochester greatly reduces the threat of river & stream flooding for city residents. Still, the National Flood Insurance Program and the City of Rochester Emergency Management Division wants residents to know that while homeowners insurance won't cover against flooding, you can protect your home and property by purchasing a flood insurance policy. To purchase a flood insurance policy, contact a local insurance agent.
Here is helpful information to guide you with a decision:
Learn about Flood Insurance Misconceptions, such as Does my homeowners insurance policy cover flooding? Am I eligible for flood insurance? Can I get flood insurance if I am renting? Can I get flood insurance before floodwaters reach my house? If I live in a low-risk zone, do I really need flood insurance? (and other answers)
Home contents coverage for residents living in high-risk areas
Take a look at this flood scenario (interactive video) to see different flood causes. Or check out this measurement tool to see how much a flood could cost you.
Finally, we want you to know that every lender is required to identify the need for flood insurance as part of any property purchase. New housing development is required to provide protections against the 100 year flood zone (rivers and streams). If you want to learn more about flood risk your area, contact the Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department. Also, a wealth of information can be found at FloodSmart.gov - the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Prepare My Business
A business plan gets you ready for the future growth of your business. In an unexpected crisis, a business continuity plan is needed to bounce back and keep your head above water. The Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions are working together to encourage all small businesses to have a recovery plan in place. Visit this website to learn how you can maintain Business As Usual, No Matter What. 
Active Shooter: What You Can Do
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers independent study course for your personal response to an active shooter incident. This course is available to you at no charge, and will take less than one hour to complete, and you will receive a certificate free-of-charge.
Course Description: An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and other populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. This course provides guidance to individuals, including managers and employees, so that they can prepare to respond to an active shooter situation. This course is not written for law enforcement officers, but for non-law enforcement employees and citizens.
Small Steps Toward Being Prepared for a Disaster
Do1Thing Reminder for May 2013 : Work, School & Community
Disasters can happen at any time. If you are away from home do you know where to find safe shelter locations? Do you know what the emergency procedures are for your child’s school or for your workplace? Will people who count on you know what to do if you can’t reach them? Know how to make sure you and your loved ones are safe in a disaster, no matter where you are.
Do 1 Thing is a 12-month program that makes it easy for you to prepare yourself, your family, and your community for emergencies or disasters. For more information on what you can to do this month to be better prepared, and to track your progress, visit:
http://do1thing.com//things/may
Do1Thing Reminder for May 2013 : Work, School & Community
Disasters can happen at any time. If you are away from home do you know where to find safe shelter locations? Do you know what the emergency procedures are for your child’s school or for your workplace? Will people who count on you know what to do if you can’t reach them? Know how to make sure you and your loved ones are safe in a disaster, no matter where you are.
Do 1 Thing is a 12-month program that makes it easy for you to prepare yourself, your family, and your community for emergencies or disasters. For more information on what you can to do this month to be better prepared, and to track your progress, visit:
http://do1thing.com//things/may
Severe Weather Awareness Week 2013
Check out this new smartphone app from American Red Cross
According to the National Weather Service, Minnesota experiences an average of 40 tornadoes per year. In 2012, 37 twisters touched down. A record was set in 2010 with 104 tornadoes across the state.
Since 2000, FEMA has declared 16 disasters in Minnesota involving flooding. From 2000 through 2011, the Minnesota Department Of Health (MDH) reports that 35 deaths were directly attributable to extreme heat in Minnesota.
Understanding these weather threats and knowing how to avoid or minimize them can save lives, money and property.
Take advantage of Severe Weather Awareness Week to review your own and your family's emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.
Each day of the week will focus on a different topic:
- Monday — Alerts and Warnings
- Tuesday — Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail
- Wednesday — Floods
- Thursday — Tornadoes
- Friday — Extreme Heat
Check each page link above for specific information about these topics, including factsheets, checklists, data and other resources.
For more information, visit State of Minnesota HSEM website
Weather Radio
Consider using a weather radio. An emergency weather radio is like a smoke alarm, and will alert you in times of bad weather. Emergency information will be picked up 24 hrs/day, you can hear them inside (sirens are made to warn people outdoors), and the emergency message will come directly from the National Weather Service. There are many types of emergency weather radios to choose from - consult this handy guide from NWS La Crosse.
Today, an emergency weather radio send alerts for many different emergencies. In Rochester, you could receive an alert for a train accident with a chemical leak. Authorities can send messages to the weather radio to let you know if it is best to stay inside (and out of toxic air), or get out before things get worse. Non-weather emergency messages are important, and make the emergency weather radio a valuable tool.
Rochester Alert
Enroll to receive emergency alerts to your cell phone, home phone, text message and/or email. It's free!
Emergency Alerts: How you want them...when you need them
Learn more about Rochester Alert by reading Frequently Asked Questions
Identity Theft: Reduce Your Risk of Becoming a Victim
Up to 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Although nothing can guarantee that you won't become a victim, there are things you can do to help minimize your risk, including:
- Guarding your Social Security number.
- Shredding documents with personal information before disposing of them.
- Using intricate passwords.
- Verifying a source before sharing any personal information.
- Being on the lookout for online scammers and thieves.
- Keeping your purse, wallet, and personal information secure.
The best way to detect identity theft is to monitor your accounts and bank statements each month and check your credit report regularly. Learn more about how to detect identity theft.
If you discover that you are a victim of identity theft, take steps to respond and recover as soon as possible. You can find forms, sample letters, and other tools from the Federal Trade Commission.
Welcome
Mission Statement
City of Rochester emergency management provides coordinated disaster response to meet the immediate health and safety needs of citizens and protect the public from harmful effect of hazards
How can you help us achieve our mission?
Keep informed. Sign up for Rochester Alerts to receive breaking news alerts and notifications. Browse our Public Information section (Rochester Alert website) to prepare for emergencies. Contact us to improve this site and deliver the information you need.
Information on Current Disaster
Read Active Alerts:
Rochester Alert website - View current alerts and press release information here
Map of active alerts View currents alerts on a map of Olmsted County (may open slowly)
Rochester Alert website - View current alerts and press release information here
Map of active alerts View currents alerts on a map of Olmsted County (may open slowly)
Current Weather Hazards from National Weather Service