If you’re interested in keeping every member of your family or business as safe as possible and prepared for the worst, the Michigan State Police are encouraging you to taken action to be a part of this week’s statewide tornado drill.
With Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declaring this week, March 24th-30th as Michigan’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is calling on everyone to take action by participating in their voluntary statewide tornado drill at 1 pm this Wednesday afternoon, March 27th.
Capt. Emmitt McGowan is Deputy State Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security as well as Commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management & Homeland Security Department. Capt. McGowan says, “While tornadoes can happen any time of the year, they are especially common in late spring and early summer,” adding, “This drill is an opportunity for residents to make a plan and test it as if this were a real event. Plan now and you’ll be better prepared when a disaster happens.”
Businesses, organizations, families and individuals are encouraged to engage in the statewide preparedness activity but are not required to do so. Nearly all state of Michigan facilities will be participating.
During the statewide tornado drill residents will observe or hear alerts on NOAA Weather Radios, TV and radio stations. To learn how local alerts are administrated in your community and if your community is participating, you can contact your local emergency management agency.
The average lead time for tornadoes to develop is 10 to 15 minutes, which means residents need to be ready to react quickly when a warning is issued.
To be ready for a tornado:
- Know the difference: Tornado Watch means conditions exist for a tornado to develop; Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
- Know the signs of an approaching tornado: dark, often greenish sky; large hail; a large, dark low-lying cloud; and loud roar, like a freight train.
- Develop an emergency preparedness kit with essential items such as a three-day supply of water and food, a NOAA Weather Radio, important family documents and items that satisfy unique family needs.
- Conduct regular tornado drills. Make sure each household member knows where to go and what to do in the event of a tornado.
- Stay tuned to commercial radio or television broadcasts for news on changing weather conditions or approaching storms.
For more information about being safe before, during and after a tornado, follow the MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS or click this link: http://www.michigan.gov/miready
The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is responsible for coordinating state and federal resources to assist local government in response and relief activities in the event of an emergency or disaster, as well as coordinating homeland security initiatives and various federal grants.
