Crawford County Emergency Management

05/09/2026

For any of our first responders in Crawford County. If you would like to be trained for swift water operations- talk with your chief and get permission to sign up. The department is only responsible for 10% of the cost of class and lodging for the multi day training. The other 90% is covered by a grant! Please let me know if you are interested.

🌊🚒 Regional Swiftwater Rescue Training Opportunity 🚑🛶

We are currently recruiting active Fire and EMS personnel from departments in Grant, Lafayette, Crawford, Richland, Vernon, and Iowa Counties to join our growing regional swiftwater rescue partnership. Our region operates one of the largest and best-equipped swiftwater rescue programs in the Midwest, and we are looking to expand our roster with motivated responders who are ready to train and serve.

📍 Upcoming Training Opportunity
A Swiftwater Rescue Technician course is scheduled on the Pike and Menominee Rivers near Iron Mountain, Michigan, June 6–9, 2026.

💰 Although there will be some costs to local departments, most training and lodging expenses will be covered through a regional Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

🌊 In recent years, numerous flood and water rescue incidents throughout the region have highlighted the importance of having local personnel trained and equipped to respond safely and effectively to swiftwater emergencies. This course provides critical hands-on skills and prepares responders for real-world rescue situations.

👨‍🚒👩‍🚒 Interested participants:
Please contact your Fire or EMS Chief.

📞 Fire and EMS Chiefs may contact Steve Braun for additional information about the training and how to become part of the regional partnership:

📧 [email protected]

📱 608-723-7171

04/29/2026

Our area may be looking at some sub 32 degrees tonight leading to frost or freeze hazard. If you have any vegetation outside, it may be time to move it indoors.

Low temperatures tonight are forecasted to be in the low to mid 30s with some locations along and north of I-94 getting down into the upper 20s. These low temperatures in combination with light winds and little cloud cover, will result in frost and freeze conditions are expected across portions of southeast Minnesota and western to central Wisconsin. Make sure to protect any sensitive vegetation!

04/28/2026

Last call for Virtual Weather Spotting Training. It is free and it can help expand your knowledge about storms and how they build and move through our communities.

🚨LAST CALL FOR NWS LA CROSSE SPOTTER TRAINING!🚨
📅Tuesday, April 28, 6-8pm

This is your last opportunity to join NWS La Crosse for 2026 local spotter training. Very apropos timing given our recent severe weather episodes! Learn what different storm cloud formations indicate, what weather hazards we need reported to us, and how to be a safe NWS storm spotter. 🌪🌩

We also welcome those who are apprehensive about severe weather and tornadoes in general. Sometimes just learning more about the thing you fear can be helpful, and this is a perfect opportunity!

We hope you will make plans to join us tomorrow evening. Pre-registration is required: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5123594896576476511 If attending as part of a group, only one person needs to register.

Can't make it tomorrow? Here are some other upcoming trainings with other NWS offices: https://www.weather.gov/crh/spottertalks?type=virtual

04/16/2026

Anyone else getting sick and tired of this severe weather we have been getting lately. With all these April showers we better be getting fields and fields of May Flowers. But the timeline for this next round of storms looks to land in our county on FRIDAY April 17th. Please make sure your storm preparedness kits are ready with the largest threats for this storm being damaging winds, large hail (really hail again???), heavy rains, and the possibility of a tornado. So be ready for anything Mother Nature might throw at you. Below you can see the post from NWS regarding this weather.

One more round of severe weather returns for Friday afternoon and evening before the pattern turns quiet for the weekend and early next week. Storms develop over southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin in the afternoon on Friday and move east into the evening. There is an increasing signal (20-40% chance) that storms could be more isolated earlier in the afternoon before evolving into a line later in the evening. If this scenario occurs, the threat for large hail (2-3” diameter) and multiple tornadoes (EF1-EF3) increases quickly. Stay weather aware tomorrow!

04/14/2026

I will continue sharing as these come out.

*** OUTDATED POST*** 4/14 2:38 PM - Strong to severe storms are starting to take shape across North Central Iowa and should expand east/northeast into Northeastern Iowa and South Central Wisconsin. Large hail and a few strong tornadoes will be possible with this initial activity. The highest risk for significant impacts will be across far southeastern portions of the Driftless Region. Stay safe out there

04/14/2026

From the US National Weather Service La Crosse Wisconsin
They have provided an update for the whole region including SE Minnesota, NE Iowa and SW Wisconsin.

Update for this afternoon-evening. We're looking at another concerning level 3 out of 5 severe weather risk, only today the focus is mainly across northeast Iowa into southwest/central Wisconsin. This morning the Storm Prediction Center increased their conditional intensity levels for all severe weather hazards, which raises concern for some potentially intense storms later today.

A strong tornado or two will be possible (10% chance), with the most reasonable maximum intensity up to EF3
Some very large hail is possible (15-40% chance, highest in the red area), potentially as large as softball size around Clayton & Grant counties
Isolated significant wind gusts to near 75 mph are possible (15% chance), mainly around Grant County

Again, that is not a guarantee that those significant hazards will occur. But based on the environment today, those are the most reasonable maximum intensities if tornadoes/hail/wind do develop in that area.

This is a reminder to have your Storm Readiness Kit prepared and ready to go in case you have to leave your house quickly. These would include water, non-perishable food, flashlight, first aid supplies, medications, and important documents. Stay Safe Everyone.

04/14/2026

Severe Weather Safety Tips
Before the Storm (Preparedness)

Develop and review your family’s severe weather safety plan with everyone in your household.
Identify the safest shelter location: a basement, storm cellar, or small interior room on the lowest level away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
Charge cell phones, laptops, and backup batteries. Have a battery-operated or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio ready.
Secure or bring indoors any outdoor furniture, decorations, grills, trash cans, or loose items that could become projectiles in high winds.
Assemble or check your emergency kit: water, non-perishable food, flashlight, first aid supplies, medications, and important documents.
Sign up for CodeRED alerts and enable wireless emergency alerts on your phone.

During a Severe Thunderstorm or High Wind Event

Stay indoors and away from windows.
If winds reach 58 mph or stronger, move to the lowest level of your home, preferably a basement.
For mobile homes or manufactured structures, evacuate to a sturdy nearby building or designated shelter when possible — they offer little protection in strong winds.
If driving, slow down, keep both hands on the wheel, and pull over in a safe area away from trees or tall objects if conditions worsen. Avoid stopping under overpasses.

During a Tornado Warning – Take Action Immediately

Go to your pre-designated shelter right away.
In a house: Head to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor (closet, bathroom, or hallway). Get under a sturdy table or use mattresses/blankets to cover your head and neck.
In a high-rise or large building: Go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Avoid large open areas like auditoriums or gymnasiums.
If outdoors with no shelter: Lie flat in a low-lying area (ditch or depression) and cover your head. Never seek shelter under a bridge or overpass.
Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If debris begins flying, pull over, buckle up, and cover your head.
Protect pets if time allows, but never leave them outside.

Important Reminders

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes — stay alert and be ready to act.
A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or detected by radar — take shelter immediately.
Flying debris causes most injuries and deaths. Stay away from windows at all times.
Continue monitoring local media, NOAA Weather Radio, and Crawford County Emergency Management updates.

After the Storm

Wait until the all-clear is given before leaving your shelter.
Watch for downed power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage.
Check on neighbors, especially the elderly or those with disabilities.

Crawford County residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware throughout the day and evening. Multiple ways to receive alerts (weather radio, local radio/TV, and mobile notifications) can make all the difference.

04/13/2026

Please go to the website below to sign up for the remaining 2 FREE Virtual Weather Spotting Classes.
https://www.weather.gov/arx/skywarn?fbclid=IwY2xjawRJ7vdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExaHlYR2VxelloOG1nY0lQc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsdiy0Jelms13FdoZSsc80owAUqEd2vWWyCepUF-PpRrZyRkifNsAOZwRnJZ_aem_TTDE38-OYzEgsHKenQLSVw

Our next virtual spotter training session is scheduled for this Wednesday at 1pm! It is free and open to everyone, but you must preregister. If planning to attend as a group, only one person needs to register. Find all the details at: weather.gov/arx/skywarn 🌪🌩

03/14/2026

Please read through these images for information on the upcoming storm. Below I will post the Severe Weather Alert from US National Weather Service La Crosse Wisconsin. This storm is no joke and will impact our area the hardest from 1PM SUNDAY TO 1PM MONDAY. Roads may become unpassable Sunday night. Plan according and do not plan to travel Sunday evening into Monday Morning.

Crawford-Richland-
Including the cities of Richland Center and Prairie Du Chien
1246 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026
..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 1 PM CDT
SUNDAY.....WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 1 PM CDT
MONDAY...

* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, freezing rain expected.
Total ice accumulations around a light glaze. For the Winter Storm
Warning, heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet
accumulations between 6 and 9 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45
mph.

* WHERE...Crawford and Richland Counties.

* WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, from 1 AM to 1 PM CDT
Sunday. For the Winter Storm Warning, from 1 PM Sunday to 1 PM CDT
Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow
could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring
down tree branches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. Visit 511wi.gov for road
conditions.

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible
power outages. In Iowa, visit 511ia.org for road conditions. In
Wisconsin, visit 511wi.gov for road conditions.

03/11/2026

As previously reported, Crawford County will not be having an in person training for storm spotting. There will be some that are virtual, and some classes held in Dodgeville and Darlington. Please see the attached schedule for the virtual and in person classes.

Due to NWS staffing challenges and significant federal program cuts, in-person weather spotter training sessions have been significantly reduced for 2026. Here are the training opportunities currently available in our area.

03/11/2026

Crawford County will not be hosting an in person storm spotter training. But this is an opportunity to attend in person.

This year's Storm Spotter Training