State emergency management officials say they don’t expect major problems, but they briefed Iowa reporters Wednesday on the extensive preparations for a Y-2-K emergency. Reporters were given a tour of the Iowa National Guard’s STARC Armory in Johnston, where about 100 top state officials, including the Governor, will gather on New Year’s Eve to respond to any problems associated with the date change. Throughout the day on December 31st, emergency management officials will be on hand. One of their goals: rumor control.State emergency management director Ellen Gordon says if vital services like phones and electricity crash, it won’t be for lack of trying.Gordon is pleading with Iowans to stay off the phone at midnight to avoid over-loaded circuits — which might cause some to mistakenly think the phone system has crashed.
