As soon as the tornado warning in Erie County was issued Monday, Erie News Now started non-stop coverage, and Captain Jim Dahle’s team at the Edinboro Fire Department got to work.

“We actually had volunteers here when the tornado warning was issued,” he said. “They took some of the equipment out, dispersed it in accordance with our protocol.”

Then, those crews waited to see what would happen.

“We continued to experience heavy rain, but we actually did not sustain any storm damage,” Dahle said.

Even though Edinboro dodged the bullet this time, they have been hit before.

When that happens, the department will turn into a command center.

“And then once the emergency responses start occurring, the incidents start occurring, we’ll start triaging those incidents,” he said. 

Dahle said it’s not a bad idea for people to put together an emergency kit with things like a flashlight.

“Things that they may need within the first 24 to 48 hours should be stocked up some place,” he said. 

The National Weather Service also recommends having items like water and non-perishable food, first aid supplies, and a wrench to turn off utilities. 

Ferrier’s True Value Hardware in Millcreek sells several things that can help.

One of them is a device that will tell someone if there’s water in their basement. 

“Like, if you’re sump pump was shut down, or if you forgot to close a window or something in the basement,” said manager Peter Maas. 

They also have bow saws in stock. Maas recommends using them to cut up limbs and other debris.

He said they’ve had customers looking for these items as they get ready for the next time the weather gets bad.

“We’re in an area that we don’t get massive severe weather, but when it does hit, it hits us pretty good.”

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