MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Mitchell residents have several layers of emergency infrastructure available when severe weather threatens, including nine outdoor warning sirens and a designated emergency storm shelter.
The nine warning sirens are located throughout the Mitchell area and are activated according to Davison County’s severe weather warning guidelines. The Mitchell Police Department Dispatch is responsible for sounding the sirens when a qualifying warning is issued.
Residents may also hear the sirens during routine testing. Mitchell’s warning sirens are tested at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of each month.
When the sirens sound during an emergency, residents should seek shelter and monitor official sources for additional information. Outdoor warning sirens are intended primarily to alert people who are outside and should not be the only method residents use to receive severe weather warnings.
For people who need a safe location during a storm, Mitchell has one designated emergency storm shelter: the Davison County Courthouse. The courthouse is open for people needing shelter anytime the warning sirens are sounding.
Mitchell also has six pre-designated disaster relief shelters intended for use after a disaster. Those locations are the Davison County Fairgrounds Building, James Valley Community Center, Salvation Army, First United Methodist Church, Mitchell Recreation Center and Corn Palace.
The distinction between the emergency storm shelter and disaster relief shelters is important. The courthouse provides a shelter location while warning sirens are sounding, while the six disaster relief locations are designated for use following a disaster.
Residents should continue monitoring official emergency and weather information when severe weather threatens Mitchell and have multiple ways to receive warnings.