Corson County Emergency Management

01/22/2026

⚠️ EXTREME COLD WEATHER WARNING ⚠️

As we're all aware, Corson County is experiencing extreme cold temperatures which will continue over the next few days. We want to urge everyone to take this weather seriously. These conditions can become dangerous very quickly for people, pets, and motorists.

🚗 Cold Weather Travel Safety Tips

If you must travel:
1. Make sure your vehicle is winter-ready (good tires, full fuel tank, proper antifreeze).
2. Carry an emergency kit: blankets, extra clothing, food, water, flashlight, phone charger, and a shovel.
3. Let someone know your route and estimated arrival time.
4. Slow down and increase following distance—ice can be present even if roads look clear.
5. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle, run the engine periodically for heat, and ensure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow.

🐾 Pet Safety in Extreme Cold

1. Bring pets indoors whenever possible. Extreme cold can cause frostbite and hypothermia in minutes.
2. If pets must be outside briefly, provide adequate shelter from wind, dry bedding, and unfrozen water.
3. Check paws for ice buildup or cracking, and wipe off salt or chemicals after walks.
4. Never leave pets unattended in vehicles during cold weather.

👥 Additional Reminders

1. Check on elderly neighbors, those living alone, and anyone without reliable heat.
2. Dress in layers and cover exposed skin when outdoors.
3. Use space heaters safely and never run vehicles or generators inside enclosed spaces.

Your safety is our priority. Please use caution, limit unnecessary travel, and take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.

Stay safe and stay warm,

Corson County Sheriff’s Office

11/15/2025

UPDATE: The road is now reopened (11/15/25 1229)

FYI: At the request of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, northbound traffic at the junction of U.S. Highway 12 and S.D. Highway 65 is temporarily being diverted due to a crash blocking N.D. Highway 31 north of the State Line. Please find an alternate route!

06/21/2025

Severe Weather Alert!

05/16/2025

With Highway 12 being closed due to rain in the construction zone between Watauga and Morristown, numerous out-of-state/out-of-area vehicles, including semis, have become stuck on county roads, damaging the roadways.

The Highway Department wants to remind you that county roads ARE NOT A DETOUR route for through traffic.

If you use a County Road and become stuck, you're on your own, and can plan to wait until either a generous farmer/rancher pulls you out or it quits raining, and roads dry up enough to get a tow truck out to you. As of now, that's not happening anytime soon!

08/29/2024

Tornado Warning:

04/19/2024

The Warhawk Emergency Management District, which encompasses the counties of Campbell, Corson, Dewey, Walworth, and Ziebach, is in the process of updating our Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (PDM) and we'd like your feedback!

The PDM plan helps us plan for and implement sustainable cost-effective measures designed to reduce the risk to individuals and property from future natural hazards.

If you reside in one of the counties listed above, please take a couple of minutes of your time and take the survey.

WarHawk District Natural Hazard Mitigation Survey.

04/18/2024

UPDATE: Both the 9-1-1 sytem and our local phone line are now operational.

NOTICE: The 9-1-1 system is down STATEWIDE as is our office number. If you need assistance, call 605-845-5000.

10/05/2023

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, several firefighters came to the Sheriff's Office to take part in training on the new radio system put on by the Corson County Emergency Manager.

Thanks to the firefighters from McIntosh, McLaughlin, Grand River, and Morristown Fire Departments for taking time out of your night to attend!

10/03/2023

NOTICE: FEMA will be conducting a nationwide test of IPAWS tomorrow, October 4th, at 12:20 pm MDT. The test will reach millions of mobile phones across the country via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), radio and television via the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and other communication pathways.

03/19/2023

Just FYI:

I've contacted West River Telephone (WRT) Technical Support regarding landline phone issues in Corson County. They advised there is a damaged upstream fiber optic line which is causing issues with phone service in certain areas. With this outage, I would assume you will need to call 9-1-1 from a cellular telephone since the landlines are not working.

If you have an 823, 845, or 854 number, you may be experiencing a loss of phone service. They are aware of the issue and are working to resolve it in a timely manner.

I have tested the non-emergency Sheriff's Office line, 605-273-4210, which is a Midcontinent number, and it still routes into the Mobridge Dispatch Center.

03/11/2023

The road conditions are not optimal! The wind is creating drifting, ice, and slush.

Deputies are on the scene of a jack-knifed pickup and camper on U.S. Highway 12 approximately 3 miles east of Walker.

As you can see, visibility is really bad!

03/11/2023

Notice: A majority of roads in Corson County are quickly becoming impassable and the plows have just been pulled from the roadway until morning! If you get stuck, we may not be able to make it to you!