Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson urges families to download and fill out an emergency plan during Severe Weather Awareness Week in Oakland County which takes place April 16-22. Residents can go to OakGov.com/HomelandSecurity and click on the link for the Family Emergency Plan.
"When families, schools and businesses are prepared for severe weather, it saves lives and property," Patterson said. "In fact, we've made it easy for every family to have an emergency plan. Just go to our website, print the severe weather plan, and fill in your family's vital information. It just takes a few minutes."
Patterson declared the week of April 16-22 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 Oakland County Outdoor Warning System on Wednesday, April 19, at 1 p.m.
During the 2016 severe weather season, there were 42 storm-based warnings issued for Michigan and two recorded tornadoes (the average is five). The warning lead time average was 14.9 minutes for all severe weather events.
"Homeland Security puts a lot of effort into educating individuals about severe weather safety and the Outdoor Warning System," said George Miller, director of the Oakland County Health and Human Services Department, who oversees Homeland Security Division. "The April 19 siren test will be an opportunity for individuals, schools and businesses to test their emergency preparedness plans."
For additional information about emergency preparedness or Severe Weather Awareness Week, go to OakGov.com/HomelandSecurity. To reach Oakland County Homeland Security Division by phone, call 248-858-5300.
Published: Wed, Apr 12, 2017
