Full Notification

TEST, TEST, TEST. This is a test as a part of the MI Statewide Tornado Drill. This is only a test.
 
This is an opportunity to practice and discuss your severe weather plans. Please practice sheltering in place and/or review your emergency plans for severe weather now. This is only a test. 

EMERGENCY TERMS
In an emergency it is important that you take action! Taking the correction actions make a difference. In Newaygo County, standardized plans use the following five terms: 

• SECURE (Get inside and lock all outside doors)
• HOLD (Stay in your room or area and clear the hallways)
• LOCKDOWN, RUN-HIDE-FIGHT (Life threatening emergency is taking place and immediate action needs to occur)
• EVACUATE (Leave the building or area immediately)
• SHELTER (Get inside and stay inside until further notice) 

To better understand the difference between these terms and what response actions should be taken, please see the attached, In an Emergency, Take Action poster in addition to the Know the Difference flyer. 

TORNADO SIREN FACTS

As a reminder, Tornado Sirens are tested once a month on the first Monday of the month at 7pm April through October. If a holiday falls on the first Monday, sirens will be tested the following Monday. Sirens are located in the City of Fremont, City of Newaygo, City of Grant, Village of Hesperia, Big Prairie, Croton, and Bitely.

Please remember:

*Tornado Sirens are only sounded when a Tornado Warning is issued by the National Weather Service. 
*Tornado Sirens will NOT sound for a Severe Thunderstorms with damaging winds (straight line winds or down bursts) 
*Tornado Sirens are activated manually and can take up to 5 minutes to set off after a Tornado Warning has been issued. 
*Tornado Sirens are designed to ONLY notify an outdoor population of a tornado
*Tornado Sirens are difficult to hear indoors during a storm
*Tornado Sirens can only be heard for 1 - 2 miles around the siren
*Tornado Sirens can not give you specific information about the incoming Tornado.

EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEMS IN NEWAYGO COUNTY
Newaygo County uses multiple methods to disseminate emergency information in order to target the largest number of people possible. It is up to you to choose which notification method(s) work best for you to receive the emergency information.
If you have a text enabled Cell Phone, Newaygo ES recommends signing up for Nixle.
*Nixle is a FREE comprehensive warning system designed for rapid dissemination of alerts and public information to a variety of public mechanisms.
*Alerts and emergency information are received via text, email, web, and social media in real time for localized emergency situations relevant to the community. *Anyone can view information through the Nixle Website without registering to receive alerts at https://local.nixle.com/newaygo-county-emergency-services/
 
To register for NIXLE ALERTS

1. Text your Zip Code or NEWAYGOES to 888777 from your mobile phone
2. Sign up and create a user profile at https://local.nixle.com/register/

 If you do not have text or Internet capabilities, Newaygo County Emergency Services encourages the use of NOAA Weather Radios.
NOAA Weather Radios: 
*Are designed for All-Hazards Warning and can be modified to alert those with special needs including deaf and hard of hearing, blind, etc. 
*Are programmed to notify you of hazards within your area including tornados, severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, downbursts, hail, hazardous materials spills, floods, etc. 
*Will give you specific information about the storm and emergency protective measures you should take.
*Are set off automatically through local NOAA Weather Radio Towers when a warning is issued. Notifications occur within seconds of the warning.
*Are battery operated and will work when there is no power. Some models are handheld while others are also an AM/FM radio and alarm clock. 
*On average, cost $20.00 per unit. Units are no more expensive to maintain than smoke detectors.

TORNADO READY TIPS
 

• 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.

Instructions:

TEST, TEST, TEST. As a part of the Statewide Tornado Drill practice your storm plans now.