Emergency Preparedness
Handbook/Calendar
March - Tornadoes
In Michigan, most tornadoes occur in April,
May, June and July between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Oakland County
ranks third in the highest number of tornadoes in Michigan per
year, according to the Michigan State University Extension
Service.
To alert residents when a tornado has been
sighted, Oakland County has more than 200 outdoor warning sirens
located on fire stations, utility poles, and buildings throughout
the county. Of these, nine are located in Farmington Hills, two in
the City of Farmington and one at the Oakland Community College
Orchard Ridge campus.
|
Everyone should understand
what it means when the outdoor warning sirens
are activated.
- Carter Grabarczyk, EPC Member
|
|
All sirens are activated by the transmission of a radio signal
sent by the Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness
Team.
Each siren is capable of covering about a
one-mile radius and is designed to alert citizens who are outside,
although people indoors may also hear the alert if they are close
to the siren site.
Testing of the sirens is done on the first
Saturday of the month at 1:00 PM from March through November. One
additional test is performed on a weekday in March as an
observance of the “Severe Weather Awareness Week”; this test is
usually done at 10:30 AM to allow school system participation.
Oakland County will activate the siren system
when severe weather conditions are present that could result in
widespread property damage, injury and loss of property and life.
These conditions include Doppler radar indication of cloud
“rotation” or an actual tornado or funnel cloud sighting. The
sirens are only activated for these specific weather conditions,
not for terrorism, toxic spills or any other civil defense matter.
It’s important to understand the difference
between a tornado “watch” and a tornado “warning.” These
definitions are from the National Weather Service Forecast Office:
-
Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable
for a tornado to occur. If a tornado watch is issued, you need
to be alert for changing weather, listen for further
information, and think about what you will do if the danger
materializes.
-
Tornado Warning: A tornado is
either imminent or has been reported. A warning indicates the
need to take immediate action to protect life and property.
Don’t forget to make preparedness fun!!
Practice your drills as a family or household group. Go out for
ice cream afterwards. Give prizes to children who remember what to
do. And praise everyone who participates
Tornadoes Worksheet
-
Before a tornado watch or warning is issued,
you should have your 72-hour kit (see January: Emergency
Supply Kits for Home and Car) ready in your basement or other
location where you will seek shelter in the event of a tornado
warning.
-
Have a Tornado Watch Drill
-
Move yard equipment inside.
-
Monitor TV and radio.
-
Account for family members.
-
Don’t forget your pets.
-
Be alert for changing conditions.
-
Have a Tornado Warning Drill
Where you should take shelter for a tornado
Tips from the Michigan State Police Emergency
Management Division
In a home: The basement offers the greatest
safety. Seek shelter under sturdy furniture if possible. In homes
without basements, take cover in the center part of the house on
the lower floor, in a small interior room such as a closet or
bathroom, or under sturdy furniture. Keep away from windows.
In a mobile home: You should leave the home
and take shelter in a pre-arranged shelter. If there is no shelter
nearby, leave the trailer and lie flat in a ditch or ravine.
Protect your head by placing your arms over it. Do not take
shelter under your home.
Driving a vehicle. Stop! Get out of the
vehicle and take shelter in a nearby ditch or ravine. Lie flat and
put your arms over your head. Do not get under your vehicle and do
not use overpasses as a shelter.
At work or at school. Follow advance plans to
move to interior hallways or small rooms on the lowest floor.
Avoid areas with glass and wide, free-span roofs, such as
gymnasiums.
In open country. Lie in a gully, ditch, or
low spot in the ground and hold onto something on the ground if
possible.
