Be Ready for
Summer Weather
DCEM Weather Stations
| PWS Weather | Lake Park | Milford | Spirit Lake | Terril | ||||
| Weather Underground | Lake Park | Milford | Spirit Lake | Terril | ||||
| Windy.com | Lake Park | Milford | Spirit Lake | Terril |
Outlooks for Dickinson County
Thunderstorm outlook from the Storm Prediction Center
Excessive Rain outlook from the Weather Prediction Center
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Grassland Fire Danger
Issued by the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls
* If the Grassland Fire Danger index is blank, click here.
* If the Grassland Fire Danger index is blank, click here.
More information: Learn Before you Burn
Emergency preparedness is a team sport.
Dr. Eric Whitaker
MD, MPH
Welcome to
Dickinson County
Emergency Management
Dickinson County Emergency Management is a core public safety agency and the designated disaster response agency and emergency operations center for the county.
The program is overseen by the Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission which has representation from the county and each city.
Latest News &
Press Releases
Don’t be fooled by summer heat: Iowa’s waters are still dangerously cold
Summer heat entices many to plunge into local lakes to cool off. Air temperatures may soar into the 90s this weekend but water temperatures are much cooler, especially below the surface.
It’s hard to imagine freezing when it’s hot outside, but cold water (below 70 degrees) reduces body heat 25 to ...
Read MoreNew campaign from HSEMD helps Iowans be better social media consumers, recognize false information
DES MOINES, Iowa – Today, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management launched a new campaign to help Iowans become better social media consumers with a focus on recognizing false information and the harm it can cause.
The “Check the Source, of Course!” campaign urges social m...
Read MoreDickinson County Crisis Navigation Guide available for download
Developed in collaboration with the Dickinson County Hunger Coalition, Dickinson Behavioral Health Coalition, and ISU Service Learning students, the goal of the Crisis Navigation Guide is to provide additional context to the content found in the Dickinson County Resource Guide. It contains five, on...
Read MoreIDOT launches website for Highway 71 construction
If you’re one of the thousands of tourists who flock to Iowa’s Great Lakes region each summer, a new construction project will help make getting around the area between Arnold’s Park and Okoboji a lot easier. The project led by the Iowa Department of Transportation is planned to be completed in 2024...
Read MoreUPCOMING EVENTS
| Jun 13 2023 12:00AM Anniversary of the Tornado of 1968 |
| Jun 14 2023 12:00PM - Outdoor Warning Siren Test |
| Jun 21 2023 12:00PM - Outdoor Warning Siren Test |
| Jun 28 2023 12:00PM - Outdoor Warning Siren Test |
| Jul 04 2023 12:00AM Independence Day - Courthouse Closed |
| Jul 05 2023 12:00PM - Outdoor Warning Siren Test |
DICKINSON COUNTY, IOWA
Disasters and emergencies can happen anytime
Are you prepared?
Ready Dickinson County
Disasters and emergencies can happen anytime. Are you Ready, Dickinson County?
Dickinson County 911
When should you call 911? When shouldn't you? Did you know you can text 911?
Our mission as a WeatherReady Nation Ambassador is to inspire others to be better informed and prepared for hazardous weather
prepare year-round with these seasonal safety campaigns
find out more about
The Communities We Serve
Arnolds Park
Arnolds Park is known as the city of five lakes. Those lakes are West and East Lake Okoboji, Lake Minnewashta, and Upper and Lower Gar Lakes. At the end of the 19th Century, Arnolds Park was, as it is today, the anchor of the Iowa Great Lakes Region.
Lake Park
Situated around Silver Lake, Lake Park is a growing community in western Dickinson County with much to offer residents and visitors.
Milford
Milford lies on the southern end of the Iowa Great Lakes and is referred to as The Gateway to the Iowa Great Lakes. Milford is home to the mythical University of Okoboji and is the place to be with its numerous city parks, great community facilities, a high-standard school system, and home of the Okoboji Pioneers.
Okoboji
Okoboji is bordered by West Lake Okoboji on one side, East Lake Okoboji on the other side and the country toward the north. Residents feel the presence of the lakes at almost every home site in Okoboji, whether they are located on the miles of lakeshore frontage or in the wooded lots nearby.
Orleans
We invite you to enjoy all the amenities Orleans and Big Spirit Lake have to offer, whether for a day, a weekend, or a lifetime, we welcome you to the City of Orleans, home of Big Spirit Lake.
Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake is located in the center of the Iowa Great Lakes. Spirit Lake was founded and continues to reflect the best of Midwestern values – offering families a wide variety of community, recreation, employment and business opportunities.
Superior
Superior is located in northeastern Dickinson County along Highway 9. It is home to Green Plains Ethanol and a couple miles west of town is the Superior 71 Drive-In Theater.
Terril
Terril is located in the southeastern corner of Dickinson County. It is a small, but active community and is the home of the Graettinger-Terril Elementary School.
Wahpeton
Wahpeton is located on the west side of West Lake Okoboji, between Miller's Bay and Emerson Bay. Gull Point State Park is situated within the city and provides camping and hiking opportunities to visitors.
West Okoboji
The City of West Okoboji is nestled between Arnolds Park and Wahpeton. The community is on West Lake Okoboji, from which its name was taken. At one time, West Okoboji and Wahpeton were the same town, but separated in September of 1930.
The Organizations We Belong To
Where Our Office is Located
Dickinson County Courthouse
1802 Hill Avenue, Suite B103
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
43.422179°, -95.103645°