Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has designated March 29 – April 4 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Oakland County.
‘During this weeklong observance, I urge residents, schools and businesses to develop, review and practice their emergency response plans in the event of severe weather,? Patterson said. ‘Having a detailed plan in place can help save lives and protect property when tornadoes or severe storms strike.?
Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness conducts outdoor warning system siren tests on the first Saturday of every month from March to November; however, the April siren test is being cancelled due to a special test on Wednesday, April 1 at 11:30 a.m. to raise awareness of severe weather.
In 2008, 139 storm-based warnings were issued, which was below the average of 142 for southeast Michigan and one tornado, which is less than the average of six for a season. The warning lead time was 23.2 minutes for all severe weather related events.
The deadliest Michigan tornado on record occurred in 1953 when 115 people were killed in Genesee and Lapeer Counties when twisters cut a 27 mile swath through the two counties.
Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness officials also remind residents that the county’s outdoor warning sirens for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms will now be activated when damaging winds approach or hit 70 miles per hour or greater within a 10 mile buffer around the county, in order to give citizens close to the border more time to take cover.