Oakland County to Conduct Special Siren Test March 18 During Severe Weather Awareness Week

• Outdoor warning sirens across Oakland County will be tested Wednesday, March 18 at 1 p.m. as part of Michigan's statewide tornado drill.
• Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 15-21) encourages residents to review emergency plans and prepare for spring storms.

Pontiac, Mich. - Oakland County will observe Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 15-21, encouraging residents to review emergency plans and prepare for potential spring weather hazards. As part of the statewide initiative, outdoor warning sirens across Oakland County will be tested Wednesday, March 18 at 1 p.m.

Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity for residents, businesses and schools to learn about severe weather threats common in Michigan, including tornadoes, flooding, lightning and damaging winds, and to make sure they know how to respond if dangerous conditions occur.

"Spring weather in Michigan can change quickly and sometimes become severe," Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. "Severe Weather Awareness Week is a great time for residents to review their emergency plans, make sure their families know where to go in a storm and sign up for local alert systems so they can stay informed when severe weather strikes."

The March 18 siren test is part of a coordinated statewide tornado drill designed to remind residents what to do if they hear outdoor warning sirens during an actual emergency. Sirens are intended to alert people who are outdoors that a life-threatening situation may be occurring.

"When you hear an outdoor warning siren, the most important thing to do is go indoors immediately and seek more information," said Thomas Hardesty, director of Oakland County Emergency Management and Homeland Security. "Use this test as a chance to talk with your family about where you would take shelter during a tornado or severe storm and how you will communicate if an emergency occurs."

Severe Weather Awareness Week also serves as a reminder to sign up for OakAlert, the county's emergency notification system. OakAlert helps keep you and your family safe by sending texts, calls and emails when emergency situations occur where you are or where you live. Because notices come from Oakland County Emergency Management, you can get information faster than from the news or social media.

For preparedness resources, emergency planning checklists and more information about severe weather safety, visit oakgov.com/emergency-management.