Outdoor Emergency Warning Siren To Be Tested Wednesday

The City of Novi will be testing its outdoor warning siren system on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

The siren is usually tested at 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month, but the city is adding an extra test in recognition of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

According to the National Weather Service, there were four deaths and 31 injuries in Michigan from severe weather in 2011 — all of which were from lightning or thunderstorm winds. Approximately $150 million in damages was caused by flooding, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes last year.

The siren is used during severe weather to warn residents of a tornado or a thunderstorm with winds at or exceeding 70 mph.

Until the fall of 2008, the siren was only used when a tornado was sighted or strongly indicated on radar. Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness then changed their policy to include dangerous thunderstorms.

You might also hear 30-second spurts of the siren throughout April as Oakland County performs tests after maintenance work.

An actual warning siren will last for three minutes.

You can find the nearest siren near you on the attached map.