04/16/2026
Midwest storm season kicked off earlier this week and with that we want to keep you updated in Chatfield.
📌The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management division is responsible for activating the outdoor warning sirens in Chatfield. They coordinate closely with the National Weather Service in La Crosse, volunteer SkyWarn storm spotters, and local public safety officials during severe weather events to ensure timely warnings are issued.
Sirens are activated under the following conditions:
🌪️Tornado Warnings (issued by the National Weather Service, whether radar-indicated or confirmed by trained spotters or public safety personnel)
💨Sustained winds of 70 mph or greater (forecasted or observed)
🌨️Hail measuring 2 inches in diameter or larger
Important reminders:
- There is no “all-clear” siren after activation.
- Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors, not those inside buildings.
- Always have multiple ways to receive severe weather information, such as weather alerts on your phone, weather radios, or trusted media sources.