Buena Vista County Emergency Management Agency

08/21/2026

FREE MMR VACCINES FOR ALL AGES!

As measles makes its way into Iowa, BV County Public Health will be offering FREE IMMUNIZATIONS for MEASLES.

Adults=FREE MMR VACCINE
Kids=FREE MMR VACCINE

There is NO cost associated for an MMR VACCINE when you visit us at Buena Vista County Public Health and Home Care!

Unsure of your vaccination status? Give us a call at 712-749-2548 and we can HELP determine if you need a vaccine to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community.

08/21/2026

If you live in Newell, please stop all water usage!

Send a message to learn more

08/17/2026

The Graeber-Rowe American Legion Post in Sioux Rapids is so thankful to be the recipient of grant funding from Buena Vista County Foundation that paid for half of the cost to replace their flood damaged flooring. The new flooring will withstand many years of use and even an occasional flood.

08/10/2026

8/10/26: With the potential for severe weather overnight (2am to 5am), it is a good idea to review some basic safety information.
📢 Sirens are intended for outdoor warning. You cannot rely on hearing them when indoors. When severe weather happens, cell towers can go down, TV and radio stations can have issues as well. For this reason, we recommend having multiple ways to obtain weather information, including:
✅A NOAA weather radio with battery backup
✅Keeping aware of weather by listening to local radio stations
✅Keeping aware by watching local market TV stations
✅Finding a weather alert app that you like and download it.
✅Signing up for text and email alerts through BV Alerts at:
https://entry.inspironlogistics.com/buena_vista_ia/wens.cfm

📢 Understanding the siren policy is key. The sirens in Buena Vista County will be activated for any of the following conditions:
🌪️When the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls issues a tornado warning. All communities that are in the warning polygon will have their sirens activated.
🌩️ When the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls issues a severe thunderstorm warning indicating that we can expect winds of 80 mph or greater, the sirens are activated. High winds can do as much damage as a tornado.
🚨 When a public safety agency requests that sirens be activated based upon their observations while weather spotting. 🚒🚓🚑

Have a plan for where you will go during severe weather. When weather happens, you don't always have a lot of time. Having a severe weather safety plan could save your life.

Sign up here for Buena Vista County Alerts! In the event of an emergency or severe weather condition, an alert will be sent to the phone number and/or email address provided by voice, text and/or email. This is a free service provided by Buena Vista County, however, normal message fees may apply. To...

08/07/2026

Last night Buena Vista County fire departments practiced using one of the dry hydrants. Dry hydrants allow fire departments to draft large quantities of water from ponds or lakes to use in fire fighting. Our fire departments give their time to train to improve their response to all types of incidents. This results in better outcomes for those affected. Rembrandt Firefighters Association Alta Firemen's Association Storm Lake Fire Department Sioux Rapids Fire Department Albert City Fire & Rescue

07/26/2026

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
949 PM CDT Sat Jul 25 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
Northeastern Woodbury County in west central Iowa...
Sioux County in northwestern Iowa...
Plymouth County in northwestern Iowa...
Western Buena Vista County in northwestern Iowa...
Southern Clay County in northwestern Iowa...
O'Brien County in northwestern Iowa...
Northwestern Ida County in west central Iowa...
Union County in southeastern South Dakota...

* Until 1030 PM CDT.

* At 948 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Primghar to near Marcus to near Hinton, moving
southeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Public.

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to
mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
Marcus, Hinton, Sutherland, Cleghorn, and Larrabee around 955 PM
CDT.
Cherokee, Kingsley, and Lawton around 1000 PM CDT.
Moville, Pierson, Peterson, and Quimby around 1005 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these severe thunderstorms include
Aurelia, Washta, Linn Grove, Correctionville, Sioux Rapids and Alta.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

07/26/2026

7/25/26-Buena Vista Co is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 2am. When severe weather happens at night, you need to have multiple ways to get weather warnings as you may not hear a siren. Sign up for BV Alerts!

Sign up here for Buena Vista County Alerts! In the event of an emergency or severe weather condition, an alert will be sent to the phone number and/or email address provided by voice, text and/or email. This is a free service provided by Buena Vista County, however, normal message fees may apply. To...

07/20/2026

We will have extreme heat today. Limit time outdoors for people and pets, and ensure you have proper hydration.

Hot and humid conditions are expected this afternoon. Heat index values will range from the low to upper 90s north of I-90 and 100 to 110 degrees south of I-90. Don't let the impacts of heat and humidity sneak up on you, take precautions to stay safe.

07/19/2026

Please join the Sioux Rapids community to celebrate this milestone in their flood recovery.

Join us for a ribbon cutting, grand reopening for the Sioux Rapids American Legion on Friday, July 24th at 4:30! 🇺🇸

07/02/2026

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
834 PM CDT Wed Jul 1 2026

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Eastern Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
West central Buena Vista County in northwestern Iowa...
North central Ida County in west central Iowa...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 834 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Quimby, or 11
miles south of Cherokee, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
Cherokee, Aurelia, and Quimby around 840 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office in Sioux Falls.