Ephrata Borough Office of Emergency Management

Borough and area residents: Ephrata Borough has a way for you to be notified of emergencies and other required alerts. If you wish to participate, please follow one of the three methods on this post!

Thank you to all Borough Emergency Services and mutual aid for an outstanding job at last evenings fire on E. Locust St., While the garage was a total loss, the building on either side received damage, but were saved.

SEVERE WEATHER TORNADO GUIDANCE FOR LOCAL CITIZENS
The year 2021 generated the 2nd most number of tornados in the Commonwealth. The first one of the year occurred last week in Bucks County. May 31, 1985, 65 Pennsylvania citizens were killed in 1 day as 17 tornados struck the State. In March 2009, a tornado struck in Clay Township remaining on the ground to Denver, destroying 30 buildings and damaging hundreds more.
April is Severe Weather Preparedness month in PA and Randall Gockley, Ephrata Borough EMA Coordinator, is recommending that all families and businesses discuss and practice what to do when severe weather strikes.
Citizens can receive severe weather warnings directly from the National Weather Service through a tone alerted Weather radio which is available for the home at a reasonable fee. People can also set up apps in their cell phones to receive emergency weather information and also use the apps of local TV stations to get warnings as they are occurring. In some cases with tornadoes, the warning for a tornado may be received only 3 to 9 minutes prior to the event. Warnings for severe thunderstorms and floods may be 15 to 30 minutes prior to the event. People have to react quickly.
Gockley also notes, that there is no siren system for tornado warnings in the Borough and other local communities. “People have to be responsible and monitor conditions via the technology available. This especially important during nighttime sleeping hours when many fatalities occur”
According to Gockley, “In a tornado or high wind event, people need to go to the lowest level of their home and stay away from windows which may create flying glass. People in an apartment or home without a basement should go to an interior closet, bathroom or hallway. Get down on your knees and elbows with your hands or pillow covering your head.” The other option is to make arrangements in advance to go to a neighbors home or business with a basement, if time permits.
Businesses should have designated areas for staff and visitors to go when severe weather strikes. Public schools and congregate care facilities are required to have annual severe weather exercises. Gockley said annually 1 or 2 schools are devastated by a tornado somewhere in the country.
If outdoors, be especially aware of lightning. If you can see the lightning in the distance seek shelter, as lightning can strike from as far as 8 miles away. Do not wait to go indoors until the storm is on top of you. Seek safety sooner than later.
People need to understand the difference between a Weather “Watch” (the situation might happen) and a “Warning” (the situation is happening). Watches may be issued hours in advance allowing people to be aware in ample time and keep an eye to the sky.
During or in the aftermath of a storm, people should call 911 if help is needed. The emergency Services will prioritize the calls and respond. There may be a delay since they may have multiple calls for assistance.
Emergency officials will designate shelters for people to go to in the aftermath. This may be a local fire station, school or church. If needed, officials will work with the American Red Cross to establish a Mass Care Center to meet the safety and temporary housing needs of citizens.
Gockley stated it is imperative for families to discuss in advance what to do if there is a weather emergency. If any citizens have questions, Gockley can be contacted at [email protected] or at 717-466-9050.

🦁⛈️March goes out like a lion with severe weather possible this afternoon & evening. Stay weather-aware!
🌬️Wind gusts 30-40mph ahead of the cold front
🕰️Storms move through between 2PM and 9PM
🍃Damaging winds are the most likely threat

Be Careful out there, folks.

Please report severe weather to us when you can do so safely. Your reports give us "eyes" on the ground.

Please report: Time, Location, Condition, and Source.

Please keep an eye out, folks. This info was good as of 1:30 pm Thursday.

🟧Much of eastern PA has been upgraded to an Enhanced Risk for severe weather (Level 3 out of 5)
🌬️🌪️Localized damage is expected from straight line winds and possibly a tornado or two
🌤️Clearing skies = fuel for storms
🕰️Severe risk increases through the afternoon

Weather advisory for Thursday into Friday. 75% chance or greater for mixture of snow sleet and freezing rain. Pay attention to Media for updates and drive safely

Sunday February 20th 7:20 p.m Emergency Services responding to a class two vehicle accident route 272 and r o t h s v i l l e Road. Use caution in the area

Saturday February 19th the wind advisory will remain in effect for Strong gust as well as the chance for snow squalls... Use caution

February 17... Beginning at 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. Friday there is a wind advisory for Lancaster County... Gusts of up to 45 to 55 miles per hour expected

Sunday morning Northern Lancaster County will be under a winter weather advisory for approximately 1 to 2 in of snow

The public works department has closed the 1200 block of Lincoln Heights Avenue as they investigate a possible sinkhole

Did you know on Saturday Borough Emergency Services were on two accidents so far at Academy and 272 and Academy and Pleasant View. Use caution when driving

Some common-sense guidance from the Lancaster County 911 Center

AccuWeather is calling for a freezing rain warning for the Ephrata area on Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.... Check additional media sources if the times and condition change

As of noon on Thursday all roads wet and slippery... Knock on wood no serious accidents in the area... Continue to use caution and slow down

Prepare for serious weather including heavy rain, freezing rain, possible snow, and dropping temperatures over the next 48 hours

Numerous accidents in the area especially on 222... up to 3 in of snow is predicted for later today with a 30% chance of 4 in or more

Thoughts and prayers to the Baltimore City Fire Department on the loss of three firefighters today... Prayers for a Middletown firefighter injured last night

Sunday evening around 7 p.m.... Numerous accidents on icy roads throughout Lancaster County... Use caution if traveling

Thanking the Pioneer Fire Company volunteers who are taking an ice rescue course in Carbon County today... they are actually in an icy lake practicing

Lincoln fire and Ephrata police on a child locked in vehicle. Have extra keys available for vehicles in extremely cold and hot weather

Some good news... Ephrata School District recording 16 cases this past week compared to 87 the previous week

Covid facts. As of yesterday there were 201 people in Lancaster County hospitals with covid 75% not fully vaccinated

Some confusion with the diagnostic Center covid test site... When arriving take second left off of New Joy Road and follow the signage and instructions

January 19th 2022... Rain will arrive this evening changing to Snow later tonight and continue into Thursday... 1/2 to 2 in of snow expected with a 25% chance of Greater amounts

For the covid testing site you drive behind the diagnostic center and stop and call the phone number and then proceed out front. Follow the instructions and signs

WellSpan has established a drive-thru covid testing site behind the Ephrata Diagnostic Center... Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. until noon

WGAL is predicting 2 to 5 in of snow for Lancaster County, but after approximately 9 p.m. everything changes to rain with heavy winds Monday

As of 8:30 a.m. the Pioneer and Lincoln fire companies are on a automatic alarm at 632 West Main Street