Severe Weather Awareness Week will have many Ottawa County schools, health care facilities and other public and private organizations conducting training and drills on March 21-27, said Fred Petersen, Director of the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency.

A key activity during the week will be a statewide test of weather warning dissemination and preparedness procedures. This test will be conducted at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24. The Ottawa County siren system will be activated for three minutes, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Dispatch will broadcast a test message to police, fire and EMS departments.

In addition, the National Weather

Service will activate weather alert radios. Actual weather warnings are disseminated in the same manner.

The county will also test their wireless emergency notification system which will alert residents via cell phones in the event of an emergency. To sign up for this service, text your zip code to 888-777.

Severe weather can threaten Ottawa County in many forms. Timely notification and warning play a key role in the effort to save lives and protect property.

The OCEMA urges residents to review their Tornado Warning Procedures and discuss them with their families or business personnel. If there are any questions or concerns, call the OCEMA office.