Shelters
Shelters in McKenzie County are essential for protecting residents during emergencies like severe weather, hazardous material spills, power outages or other disasters. Knowing the location of these shelters is crucial, as it ensures that people can quickly find safety when needed. Being aware of shelter locations in your town can save lives, providing a secure place to wait out dangerous situations until it is safe to return home.
Shelters Near You
- Watford City - Civic Center (213 2nd St NE)
- Arnegard - Wilmington Lutheran Church (204 Johnson St)
- Alexander - Trinity Lutheran Church (624 Delaney St)
- Cartwright - Cartwright Community Center (308 Main Street)
- Fairview - East Fairview School (301 2nd St)
- Keene - Clear Creek Lutheran Church (11144 35th St NW)
- Four Bears Village - Thomas Johnny Bird Memorial Building (2010 Chief Four Bears Ave)
- Mandaree - Mandaree Fire Hall (105 Ridge Rd)
- Grassy Butte - Grassy Butte Community Center (504 Main St)
- Tobacco Gardens - 2 storm shelters (4781 Hwy 1806 W)
- Shelter #1 is located at the South Entrance
- Shelter #2 is located at the North Entrance
Sheltering in Place
There may be a time when an emergency takes place in our community due to a hazardous materials release. The outside air quality may be affected to the point that it isn't safe to be outside or to evacuate. In a case like this it is usually safer to shelter-in-place until wind disperses and moves the material away.
Tips
- Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do.
- Watch TV and listen to the radio or check the Internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.
- Bring your family and pets inside.
- Lock doors, close windows, air vents and fireplace dampers.
- Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems.
- Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.
- Go into an interior room with few windows if possible.
- Seal all windows, doors and air vents with thick plastic sheeting and duct tape. Consider measuring and cutting the sheeting in advance to save time.
- Cut the plastic sheeting several inches wider than the openings and label each sheet.
- Duct tape plastic at corners first and then tape down all edges.
- Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to seal gaps so that you create a barrier between yourself and any contamination.
“Sealing a room” is considered a temporary protective measure to create a barrier between you and potentially contaminated air outside. This type of sheltering in place requires pre-planning, by purchasing plastic sheeting and duct tape that you would keep in your emergency supply kit.