According to the National Weather Service, "Americans live in the most severe weather-prone country on earth. Each year, Americans cope with an average of 10,000 thunderstorms, 2,500 floods, 1,000 tornadoes, and an average of 6 deadly hurricanes. Potentially deadly weather impacts every American. Some 90% of all presidentially declared disasters are weather related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in damage."
As a cooperative venture between the National Weather Service and Oakland County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department, the Oakland County
Early Weather Warning Program is designed to provide timely notification of severe weather conditions to persons and agencies. The goal of the program is to reduce personal injuries and property damage as a result of severe weather.
By using appropriate equipment and personnel, persons and agencies are immediately alerted of severe weather conditions by
two major notifications systems:
Tone Alert Receiver System
This is an
indoor warning device that provides a voice broadcast of current weather related conditions. It will advise those with a tone alert receiver of severe weather watches, warnings, and updates.
Outdoor Warning Siren System
This is an
outdoor warning device that provides a county-wide three minute steady tone alert. The sirens are activated for Tornado Warnings (tornado sighted or strongly indicated on radar) or Severe Thunderstorm Warnings with 70 mph winds or greater.
On October 1, 2007 the National Weather Service implemented
"Storm Based Warnings." This change resulted in the use of "polygons" to identify areas affected by storms rather than county boundaries. Therefore, more than one warning could be in effect for the county at the same time. If you hear the outdoor warning sirens activate, seek shelter immediately. Tune into your local media outlet for more detailed information only if it is safe to do so.