Planning is the single greatest thing you can do to reduce the impacts of severe weather. In Michigan, these include tornadoes, flooding, high winds, and other weather patterns that could disrupt daily lives.

Severe Weather Awareness Week will be held March 17-23, 2024, with a special midweek siren test on Wednesday, March 20 at 1 p.m.

If a severe weather incident happens:

• Do you have a plan?
• Where will you go?
• What will you do?
• Are you familiar with the alert systems in your area?
• How will you communicate?

Prepare, plan and help build a prepared and resilient Oakland County using the resources below.

Knowing the Difference Between and Watch and a Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Be Prepared! Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Take Action! Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a large hail or damaging wind identified by an NWS forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.

Sirens: Why and When?

What does it mean when I hear the outdoor warning sirens?

In short, it means that something life-threatening is happening and you should go indoors and get more information. What should I do when I hear the outdoor warning sirens? 

When the sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media to get more information.