Weather sirens are set to go off April 1, but no emergency is planned. It’s not an April Fool’s gag, but a test of the system, in honor of Severe Weather Awareness Week.
“The purpose of the siren test is to make sure it is functional and to remind people what it is for,” said Chief Steve Ronk, Independence Township Fire Department.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson designated March 29-April 4 as Severe Weather Awareness Week.
This week is for residents to rethink what to do in case of severe weather, and it gives people a chance to exercise their emergency plan, Ronk said.
The April siren test is set for 11:30 a.m. Sirens will be tested the first Saturday of the month from March to November.
Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness activate the county’s outdoor warning sirens for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms with damaging winds at or near 70 mph or greater, when the storm is within 10 miles of the county.
To prepare for severe weather, residents should store water and food that does not need to be cooked.
‘Basically, you want to be self-sufficient for a couple of days,? Ronk said.
People should be able to help themselves for a few days, so the system does not become overrun.
“Supplies are not available to feed 36,000 people,” Ronk said. “If there is a major disaster, supplies can be brought in.”
Severe weather is common in spring, when cold and warm weather fronts clash, but has become more common later in the year as well, he said.
Gail Novak, Chief of Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness, said this is a week for Oakland County residents to put together disaster kits, review emergency plans with family, and practice tornado shelter drills. They will also be handing out literature about severe weather.
If there is a warning, people should turn on the TV or radio for information. Put away bikes, chairs, and other outdoor items when weather threatens, and have water and an emergency kit available, Novak said.
According to Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness, if a warning is issued:
? Remain indoors if instructed to do so by authorities;
? Lock exterior doors and windows and close all drapes and curtains;
? Turn off air conditioning, close fireplace dampers, vents and/or fans;
? Quickly collect emergency supplies kit, family and pets and go to a pre-selected room;
? Place a towel, preferably wet, under the door;
? Seal all windows, doors, electrical and phone outlets with pre-cut plastic sheeting and tape;
? Turn on radio or TV to listen for updates;
? Follow procedures on sheltering in place if in a building;
? If outside, seek shelter in a building, or if no nearby buildings, then in a car. Close windows and vents, turn off air conditioning, and listen for radio updates.
For more information about preparing for severe weather, check www.oakgov.com/erp/ or www.ready.gov.