Michigan’s Severe Weather Awareness Week this year is March 24-30, with the annual voluntary statewide tornado drill Wednesday, March 27 at 1 p.m.

Tornadoes can and do occur in our area; in fact the last major tornado to hit Michigan was in Eaton County on April 22, 1977. Since 1950, there have been 25 tornadoes confirmed in Eaton County. 

 

Following the warning siren test, residents are strongly encouraged to fill out a form at the link https://geo.eatoncounty.org/sirens  with your location and your observations.

These generated reports will be used to analyze our effective warning siren coverage.

 

Departments, businesses, organizations, families and individuals are encouraged to be a part of this statewide preparedness activity. Many communities in Eaton County will be participating by activating their outdoor warning sirens...   

 

“Eaton County Central Dispatch and Eaton County Emergency Management will take this opportunity to practice our procedures as if it were an actual tornado warning,” 911 Director Michael Armitage said.  In addition to participating in the drill, residents of Eaton County can also prepare by creating a Smart911 account and registering for emergency alerts at eatoncounty911.org or smart911.com.  Residents can also register for alerts by texting the word EATON to 67283.

 

Central dispatch and emergency management wants to ensure that you and your family are adequately alerted by our warning siren system if and when dangerous weather conditions head our way this severe weather season. Therefore, we are asking for your help in assessing the effective range our warning sirens by submitting a status report..

Statewide Severe Weather Preparedness/Awareness Weeks are an opportunity to increase awareness of and response to severe weather hazards. They are scheduled throughout the spring, targeting a time before the spring severe weather "season" typically begins in that state. Most states also conduct a tornado drill during their awareness week, when test tornado warnings are issued at a predetermined time. Please mark your calendar and plan to participate in the drill for your local area, as this is an opportunity to test your communication methods as if it were a real situation.

 

For more information about being safe before, during and after a tornado, go to www.michigan.gov/miready