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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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