When the National Weather Service issues a severe weather condition, Oakland County Homeland Security will activate the tone alert receivers (different from NOAA weather radios) and broadcast detailed severe weather information impacting Oakland County.

For Tornado Warnings and/or Severe Thunderstorms with damaging winds at or greater than 70 mph, activation will occur seconds after the Oakland County Outdoor Warning Sirens are activated.

Tone Alert Receiver System Features

• Timely Information
• All-Clear Information
• Detailed Information
• Weather Development Advisories
• Updated Information
• Monitor County Disaster Frequency

Broadcasted Severe Weather Conditions

• Tornado Warning
• Tornado Watch
• Thunderstorm Warning
• Thunderstorm Watch
• Severe Blizzard Warning
• Blizzard Warning
• Heavy Snow Warning
• Ice Storm Warning
• Winter Storm Warning
• Winter Storm Watch
• Flood Warning
• High Wind Warning
• Dense Fog Advisory

Persons/Agencies Who May Participate

• Citizens
• Businesses
• Schools
• Hospitals
• Media
• Industry
• Police
• Public Safety
• Government
• Fire
• Emergency Medical Service

To participate in the Tone Alert Receiver System, persons or agencies obtain and maintain a tone alert receiver with proper frequency and tones. Tone alert receivers are small radio-type appliances available for purchase from $200-500.00 each. NOAA weather radios can be purchased for under $50.00.

If your agency/organization has a tone alert receiver and you have not been receiving our weekly test messages every Thursday at 10am, it may be due to the narrow-banding requirement that was recently implemented by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Years ago frequencies were transmitted through wide-band and have been switched over to narrow band. As a result, the older tone alert radios may not receive narrow band signals which are configured and transmitted in a more precise range than wide-band. If your tone alert boxes are not compatible with narrow banding requirements, you may have to purchase a new tone alert receiver box. We have outlined a few helpful tips to assist you with determining if your equipment requires a replacement.

• Please ensure that your tone alert box is correctly installed and turned on. Tone Alert Instructions will assist with this process.
• You can purchase an outdoor antenna to provide additional coverage to receive the tones. Placing the tone alert box near an exterior wall and an outside antenna can be a very cost effective solution.
• If you still do not receive our weekly tests and/or weather updates (when inclement weather is affecting the County), you may need to purchase a new, narrow banded radio.

For further information, contact our office.