The city of Ames has a document-based disaster response plan that prepares it for virtually any type of disaster.

“We are prepared for disasters that are man-made or natural,” said Susan Gwiasda, city of Ames public relations officer.

The disaster plan created by the city of Ames is a foundation that officials build on to create their strategies.

“For every situation, you have to customize how it works,” Gwiasda said. “We use this as our starting point and follow the guidelines it points.”

Disasters that occurred in the past also inform current response plans.

In the case of Joplin, Mo., Gwiasda suspects knowledge of past events wouldn’t have helped residents.

“Joplin was a huge devastating event,” Gwiasda said. “Some of their experience in the past may have not have helped them prepare.”

The EF-5 tornado that hit the town has killed approximately 142 people and destroyed many houses, leaving many homeless.

According to the National Weather Service, EF-5 is the highest category for a tornado on the Enhanced Fujita damage scale. The tornado in Joplin had winds that reached speeds as high as 200 miles per hour.

Since May 11, 1953, there have been 56 EF-5 tornadoes in the United States, four of which occurred this year.

In the event of a disaster, the city of Ames can contact the state or federal government for assistance.

“There is a system in place in a disaster response plan,” Gwiasda said. “It’s a coordinated effort in many agencies across the county and state and, if necessary, the federal government.”

Keith Morgan, coordinator of emergency management for Story County, also plays a part in helping the city prepare for a disaster.

“My position as the coordinator for Story County is to work from the individual jurisdiction,” Morgan said. “We try to work together and develop an overall capability with the county.”

The first step in the disaster plan is minimizing any chance of hazardous damage.

“We try to prevent and take actions area to minimize as much risk as possible,” Morgan said.

The second step is preparing for the event. To do this, an emergency management team has to identify who is going to enact a plan.

“In a case of a situation at a school, we would make a decision on where would be the safest place to move students in the school,” Morgan said.

The next step in the process is responding.

“My job is to be constantly watching the weather and work[ing] with the county dispenser and mak[ing] sure the sirens are activated and that they are aware of the weather situation,” Morgan said.

The final step is recovering from the situation.

“We clear debris and clean up,” Morgan said. “We try to re-establish as much of a normal life and activity as we can.”