Emergency Management
Emergency Director
Andrew Delgado
P.O. Box 12
14 1st Ave. SE
Watertown, SD 57201
(605)882-6272
8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. | 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. – Monday through Friday
If you need to reach us outside of regular business hours, please call Watertown Police Department dispatch at (605) 882-6210.
Office Location
Basement of Law Enforcement Center
NIXLE: Text your zip code to 888777 for notifications from county officials.
Get Involved
LEPC – The LEPC brings together public safety, industry, and community members to improve hazardous materials planning and response. We welcome new members who want to help shape local preparedness.
Volunteer organizations – future link to organizations in town. “Local volunteer organizations play a significant role in community preparedness; one way you can help is to be involved in one of the many volunteer organizations.
Links
CCSAR
Ready.gov
Weather.gov
Lake Kampeska Water Levels
Codington County Drought Monitor
FEMA.gov
Community Storm Shelters
Community Storm Shelters
Shelters are ranked in order of accessibility and reliability:
Anza Soccer Field Shelter – 1620 17th St SE- Unlocked by Watertown PD during severe thunderstorm or tornado watch/warning.
Stokes-Thomas City Park Shelter – 90 S Lake Dr (SW corner of campground, brown building) – Unlocked throughout summer camping season.
Codington County Extension Center Shelter -1910 W Kemp (Entrance H) – Unlocked shortly after a warning is issued by a county employee.
Memorial Park Shelter – Near bathhouse by duck pond – Unlocked during camping season
An Outdoor Warning Siren FAQs
Outdoor Warning Sirens: What You Need to Know
Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outside of imminent danger. They are one layer in a multi-layered public alert and warning system—do not rely on them to decide to seek shelter.
What Does It Mean When Sirens Sound?
It means something life-threatening is happening nearby. Go indoors immediately and gather additional information by turning on local media or a NOAA Weather Radio.
Why Can’t I Hear Them Indoors?
Sirens are built to reach people outdoors, though some people may hear them inside, too.
What Should I Do?
- Go inside
- Tune in to local TV, radio, or NOAA Weather Radio
- Do not wait for an “all clear”—we don’t sound one
When Are Sirens Activated?
- Tornado warnings
- Severe thunderstorms with winds ≥ 80 mph
- Other emergencies may be sounded for other life-threatening conditions
Sirens sound for three minutes, then shut off to preserve battery. If they sound again, it means a new threat has emerged.
Use Common Sense
Sirens won’t warn you of every threat. Lightning alone is dangerous. Stay weather-aware and use multiple alert methods—sirens, NOAA radios, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and local media.
Who Activates Them?
Local officials—typically police, fire, or emergency management—based on verified threats like trained spotter reports or National Weather Service warnings.
Testing & Maintenance
- Weekly tests: Fridays at noon (spring through summer)
- If a siren near you sounds odd or doesn’t work, contact Emergency Management or call Watertown PD Dispatch after hours.
Statutory Requirements of Codington County
- SDCL 34-48A-39. County emergency management organizations. Each organized county of this state shall establish a local organization and develop an emergency plan for emergency management in accordance with the state emergency management plan and program.
- SDCL 34-48A-40. Director of local organization–Duties and powers. Each local organization for emergency management shall have a director who shall be appointed by the executive officer or governing body of the county, and who shall have direct responsibility for the development and implementation of emergency and disaster plans, organization, administration, and operation of the local organization for emergency management, subject to the direction and control of the executive officer or governing body.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Emergency Management is responsible for the operation of the weather monitoring program in Codington County and the tornado warning systems within the county.
- Emergency Management supervises the operation of the Codington County Search and Rescue Team. This includes overseeing maintenance, inventory of equipment, and training of the team members.
- Emergency Management is required to develop and maintain a Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP). This plan outlines the governmental response to any given emergency situation.
- Emergency Management is required to develop and maintain a Hazardous Materials Plan.
- Emergency Management is responsible for the development and maintenance of Codington County’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan. This plan must be completed and approved by FEMA so that Codington County qualifies for federal disaster programs and payments.
- Emergency Management is responsible for obtaining and delivering information, equipment, training, and grant funds to local government and non-government organizations from FEMA and Homeland Security. Emergency Management is also responsible for submitting requests for emergency disaster assistance.
- The Director of Emergency Management has been designated as the Wildland Fire Coordinator for Codington County.
- Emergency Management is responsible to respond to HazMat spills within the county and reports the incident to the State Emergency Management Office. Emergency Management coordinates resources for the response and clean-up.
- Emergency Management is responsible for the formation and operation of a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The LEPC has two primary goals. It requires the development and implementation of the local Hazardous Materials Response Plan and it also manages the paperwork submissions from industry and their disclosure of hazardous materials stored by them. Emergency Management keeps a record of what hazardous materials are stored, where they are stored, and provides information about chemicals in the community to the public.
- Emergency Management works with local fire departments to coordinate resources to help with fighting fires. Any unusual fires are reported to the State Emergency Management Office.