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Plainfield Township has installed several outdoor
warning sirens. to notify people of potential disasters. These signals
are normally weather related, but could include any event that would
significantly effect your health or welfare. The sirens are mounted on
poles and are distributed throughout the Township. Each siren turns 360
degrees, making a continuous wail that will rise and fall as it turns.
When you hear an outdoor warning siren, immediately go to a location
where there is a radio or television that will allow you to get weather
or other important information.
Some of the events that are signaled by the sirens include:
TORNADO WATCH. A tornado watch is a message indicating that
conditions favor the occurrence of a certain type of hazardous weather.
For example, a severe thunderstorm watch means that a severe
thunderstorm is expected in the next six hours or so within an area
approximately 120 to 150 miles wide and 300 to 400 miles long (36,000 to
60,000 square miles). The National Weather Service (NWS) Storm
Prediction Center issues such watches. Local NWS forecast offices issue
other watches (flash flood, winter weather, etc.) 12 to 36 hours in
advance of a possible hazardous weather or flooding event. Each local
forecast office usually covers a state or a portion of a state.
TORNADO WARNING. A tornado warning indicates that a hazardous
event is occurring or is imminent in about 30 minutes to an hour. Local
NWS forecast offices issue warnings on a county-by-county basis.
FLASH FLOOD. If a flash flood were eminent, the sirens would
sound for the entire Township.
HAZ MAT. HAZ MAT, or HAZardous MATerials situation, can occur
in almost any area. If one were to occur near your home or business, the
Fire Department, Emergency Management, or the Kent County Sheriff’s
department could request one of two things of residents near the scene;
either you evacuate the area, or stay inside and seal your home to
protect against the chemical entering it.
Some of the events that are currently NOT signaled by the sirens:
HIGH WINDS. When high winds have been reported there is currently
no signal issued. This procedure is currently being reviewed, and it is
anticipated that a new procedure to warn people when winds reach a
certain level will result from the review.
What to do in an emergency
Pick a safe place in your home where family members could
gather during a tornado. The safest place to be is underground, or as
low to the ground as possible, and away from all windows. If you have a
basement, make it your safe place. If you do not have a basement,
consider an interior hallway or room on the lowest floor. Putting as
many walls as you can between you and the outside will provide
additional protection. Less than two percent of all tornadoes are
powerful enough to completely destroy a sturdy building. Make sure that
there are no windows or glass doors in your safe place and keep this
place uncluttered.
Consider having your tornado safe place reinforced.
Additional reinforcement will add more protection from the damaging
effects of tornado winds. Get more information from
FEMA about building a tornado safe room.
If you live in a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby
sturdy building. A sturdy building provides greater protection. If your
mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place.
Mobile homes are much more vulnerable to strong winds than site-built
structures. Prior to 1994, most manufactured homes were not designed to
withstand even moderate winds.
Discuss tornadoes with your family. Everyone should know what
to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster
ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond
during a tornado.
Disaster preparedness and weather emergencies are discussed further
on the following websites:
o Red Cross of Western and Central Michigan
www.redcrosswcm.org
o American Red Cross
www.redcross.org
o Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov
o National Weather Service
www.nws.noaa.gov
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