2025 April Volunteer of the Month - Yankton County Skywarn

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” is the beginning of the postman’s creed but it can just as easily be credited to the network of volunteers locally and nationally who watch the skies to provide early warning of impending severe weather.  The members of the Yankton County Skywarn Team donate their time, gas, and vehicles; including the risk of damage done to that vehicle; to watch the weather and help protect the citizens of and those who visit Yankton County by reporting on the conditions they see and the weather they are experiencing.  This group is a little-known part of the public safety system that includes fire, law, EMS, Search and Rescue and others that protect people in the area.

Yankton County’s Skywarn Team is an all-volunteer group of 20 under the management of the Yankton County Emergency Management Office that responds to, observes and reports conditions during severe weather events. Each team member must take yearly refresher training to keep their skills sharp.  All team members have designated locations where they watch the weather, measure wind speeds, report on wind, rain and hail conditions and evaluate cloud formations.  During this time, they are subjected to the elements of severe storms such as high wind, heavy rain, hail (sometimes very large) and possibly tornadic activity.

Team members report these conditions to a command post located at the Yankton County Office of Emergency Management and, If the weather warrants a public warning, they can contact our local dispatch center to activate the Storm Siren system.  They are also responsible for keeping the National Weather Service advised of current severe weather conditions.

Because of their commitment to protecting our community, United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton was honored to present the Yankton County Skywarn Team with the April 2025 Volunteer of the Month Award.

To learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to nominate someone for United Way’s Volunteer of the Month Award, please visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer, email info@yanktonunitedway.org, or call United Way of Greater Yankton at (605) 665-6766.