Watonwan County Emergency Management

08/04/2026

Emergency Management joined personnel from Living Meadows at Luther Madelia, Madelia Fire Department , and Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office-City of Madelia for an After Action Report of the LP related fire on the living center's grounds last month. This was a time to reflect on the operations of the event - from the beginning to the end - and discuss the successes and opportunities from it. In addition a couple "what if" scenarios were discussed to consider how those events would have been handled. Meetings after the incident are important in emergency planning to be better prepared for the next incident. Living Meadows is dedicated to the safety of their residents - and that was exhibited in their actions that day and in the meeting today. Thank you to everyone for making time today to come together and recap the day.

08/04/2026

Please Share!
🚓🌟 National Night Out is TONIGHT! 🌟🚒

Tonight, Tuesday, August 4, cities across Watonwan County will come together to celebrate National Night Out—an annual event that strengthens the partnership between residents and the law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, and public safety professionals who proudly serve our communities.

National Night Out began more than 40 years ago as a way to bring neighbors together, build stronger relationships with first responders, and help create safer, more connected communities. It reminds us that public safety is a shared responsibility, and that getting to know your neighbors is one of the best crime prevention tools we have.

We invite you to attend one of the community gatherings happening in Butterfield and St James - plus new this year in Madelia. Stop by, meet your local first responders, enjoy the activities, and spend time with friends, family, and neighbors.

The first responders of Watonwan County are proud to serve the residents of Watonwan County. Thank you for your trust, your support, and for helping make our communities safe, welcoming places to live.

We look forward to seeing you tonight!
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¡Por favor, comparte!
🚓🌟 ¡La Noche Nacional es ESTA NOCHE! 🌟🚒
Esta noche, martes 4 de agosto, ciudades de todo el Condado de Watonwan se unirán para celebrar la Noche Nacional, un evento anual que fortalece la colaboración entre los residentes y los profesionales de la ley, bomberos, EMS, gestión de emergencias y seguridad pública que orgullosamente sirven a nuestras comunidades.
La Noche Nacional comenzó hace más de 40 años como una forma de reunir a los vecinos, construir relaciones más fuertes con los primeros en responder y ayudar a crear comunidades más seguras y conectadas. Nos recuerda que la seguridad pública es una responsabilidad compartida y que conocer a tus vecinos es una de las mejores herramientas de prevención del crimen que tenemos.
Te invitamos a asistir a una de las reuniones comunitarias que se llevarán a cabo en Butterfield y St James, ¡y este año también en Madelia! Pasa a saludar, conoce a tus primeros respondedores locales, disfruta de las actividades y pasa tiempo con amigos, familiares y vecinos.
Los primeros respondedores del Condado de Watonwan están orgullosos de servir ...

07/30/2026

07/30/2026

UPDATE: 31-JUL-26 at 5:30AM - FLOOD WATCH EXTENDED UNTIL 4PM TODAY.

ORIGINAL POST:
FLOOD WATCH FOR LOW LYING AREAS IN WATONWAN COUNTY THURSDAY EVENING to FRIDAYMORNING. Heavy rainfall is expected tonight across west-central, southwest, and south-central Minnesota. Slow moving thunderstorms are expected to generate widespread rainfall amounts of two to four inches, while more localized amounts of greater than 6 inches are likely within the band of heaviest rainfall. Flash flooding is possible where these higher-end amounts occur, especially in low-lying areas & areas of steeper terrain near near creeks and streams. Street & urban flooding is also likely where heavy rainfall occurs over towns & cities.

07/30/2026

Good Morning,

A corridor of heavy rain is expected along the MN River Valley in SW Minnesota, starting this evening and continuing overnight. Amounts of 1"+ are likely within this corridor, and pockets of 4"+ are possible. Localized flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood prone areas. The main threat would be flooding in fast any responding creeks and streams as this is expected to be a slower moving rain event vs the quick bursts we have experience lately. Severe weather does not seem to be a threat at this time.

07/27/2026

Stay hydrated and cool! If you are working strenuously outside, are elderly, or have a infirmity - please be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Staying hydrated, being in tune of your body, and limiting strenuous outdoor heat will help you be safe over the next couple of days. Consider spending some time taking a dip in one of Watonwan County's lakes, or the Madelia and St James pools - a great way to enjoy a sunny summer afternoon and stay cool!
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¡Mantente hidratado y fresco! Si estás trabajando arduamente al aire libre, eres mayor o tienes alguna enfermedad, por favor presta atención a los signos de agotamiento por calor y golpe de calor. Mantenerte hidratado, estar atento a tu cuerpo y limitar las actividades físicas intensas bajo el sol te ayudará a mantenerte seguro durante los próximos días. Considera pasar un tiempo dándote un chapuzón en alguno de los lagos del condado de Watonwan, o en las piscinas de Madelia y St. James; ¡una excelente manera de disfrutar una tarde soleada de verano y mantenerte fresco!

07/26/2026

8:10PM 25-JUL-26. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH until 2AM Sunday 26-JUL-26 for Watonwan County.

This post will be updated with any weather changes that affect the safety of residents and visitors to Watonwan County.
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8:10 p. m., 25-JUL-26. **VIGILANCIA DE TORMENTA ELÉCTRICA SEVERA** hasta las 2 a. m. del domingo 26-JUL-26 para el condado de Watonwan.

Esta publicación se actualizará con cualquier cambio en el clima que afecte la seguridad de los residentes y visitantes del condado de Watonwan.

07/16/2026

Mark your calendars Madelia!

We are excited to announce that National Night Out is returning to the city of Madelia! Along with our partners at the Madelia Fire Department, we would like to welcome all our community members to come out for a fun evening. The Fire department will be providing food. Mark your calendars!

07/16/2026

Mark you calendars St James!

07/16/2026

🍻🎡 Two Rides. One Good Decision. 🚍

After a great night at the Watonwan County Fair and Beer Garden, you have two choices...

🚌 Hop on a FREE TMT bus and get home safely.

🚓 Or... take a much more expensive ride courtesy of the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office.

We highly recommend the first option. 😄

FREE Bus Rides Anywhere in Watonwan County
📅 Friday & Saturday
🕘 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM
📍 Bus Stop at the Beer Garden

Just wait at the bus stop. As buses finish dropping off passengers, they'll return to pick up more riders throughout the evening.

FREE is a lot cheaper than a DWI—and much safer, too.

The Watonwan County Fair Board and Watonwan County encourage everyone to enjoy the fair responsibly. Have fun, make great memories, and leave the driving to us!

🇪🇸 🍻🎡 Dos viajes. Una buena decisión. 🚍

Después de una gran noche en la Feria del Condado de Watonwan y el Jardín de la Cerveza, tienes dos opciones...

🚌 Sube GRATIS al autobús de TMT y llega a casa de forma segura.

🚓 O toma un viaje mucho más caro cortesía de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Watonwan.

Nosotros recomendamos la primera opción. 😄

Viajes GRATIS a cualquier lugar del Condado de Watonwan
📅 Viernes y sábado
🕘 9:00 p. m. a 1:00 a. m.
📍 Parada de autobús en el Jardín de la Cerveza

Solo espera en la parada. Los autobuses regresarán continuamente después de dejar a otros pasajeros.

¡GRATIS es mucho más barato que un DWI... y mucho más seguro también!

La Junta de la Feria del Condado de Watonwan y el Condado de Watonwan te invitan a disfrutar de la feria con responsabilidad. ¡Diviértete y deja que nosotros nos encarguemos del viaje a casa!