Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has designated the week of April 12-18, 2015 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Oakland County. The county’s Homeland Security Division will engage in various public education activities that week. Plus, it will conduct a countywide test of the Outdoor Warning System at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.
“Preparedness saves lives and property,” Patterson said. “Families, schools and businesses should all have an emergency plan in place in the event of severe weather and other disasters.”
During the 2014 severe weather season, there were 112 stormed-based warnings issued in southeast Michigan, three of which were recorded tornadoes. The press release went on to say that the average warning lead time for all severe weather events was 26 minutes.
“A significant part of our program is geared toward educating individuals about severe weather safety and the Oakland County Outdoor Warning System,” Homeland Security Division Manager Theodore Quisenberry said. “The April 15 siren test will be an opportunity for individuals, schools and businesses to test their emergency preparedness plans.”
For more information on emergency preparedness or severe weather awareness week, go to www.OakGov.com/HomelandSecurity. To reach Oakland County Homeland Security Division by phone, call 248-858-5300.
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