Severe Weather Plans In Place For Rooster Days, Trail Days

With the chance of strong to severe storms for at least part of the weekend, it could impact a couple of the year's biggest outdoor events. Broken Arrow's Rooster Days and Owasso's Trail Days are set for the weekend.

Organizers certainly don't want to discourage people from enjoying all of the fun, but they do want them to mindful of the weather this weekend.

5/8/2014 Related Story: Threat Of Severe Weather Across Eastern Oklahoma

At Rooster Days in Broken Arrow, the food trailers are setting up and getting ready for a big weekend.

The carnival rides are in place at Central Park.

BA police spend months preparing for the event, including planning for the possibility of severe weather.

"We're constantly having people who are monitoring the weather 24 hours a day," said Sergeant Ed Ferguson with BAPD.

Ferguson said police will be in contact with the National Weather Service and emergency management personnel.

With an event that draws 20,000 to 30,000 people each year, Ferguson said if any bad weather develops, information is immediately passed along to officers at the event.

"We're going to have weather monitoring equipment in our command post here so our supervisors will be able to watch the weather radars and watch the weather reports that are coming out," said Ferguson.

Plus, Central Park in Broken Arrow, where most Rooster Day events are held, has lightning detectors.

"So if there is lightning within 20 miles of this park we have horns and sirens that will sound," Ferguson said.

It's a similar strategy that Owasso emergency personnel are implementing as Trail Days gets underway, with the carnival on 76th street North.

"Continually getting updates on weather. The National Weather Service will send out updates that we'll get on our computers and stuff to keep us aware of impending weather," Sergeant Mike Barnes with Owasso Police said.

In Owasso, the emergency operations center will staff up if there is severe weather. Officers and organizers want people to have fun, but also want them to be prepared, just in case.

"If it looks like there may be a risk of severe weather, then plan for it," said Ferguson.

Barnes said, "Be aware of your surroundings and what the weather is going to be when you go out with your family this time of year."

Officers say part of being prepared is having your cell phone handy, where you can take advantage of weather apps, like the one our team of meteorologists updates.