In conjunction with Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs April 21-25, the City of Whitewater will be conducting a test of the outdoor warning sirens on Thursday, April 24. The 2014 Tornado Drill will consist of a mock tornado watch and a mock tornado warning throughout Wisconsin and will utilize real, live Emergency Alert System codes and sounds.
The drill schedule is as follows:
1 p.m., National Weather Service issues a mock tornado watch for all of Wisconsin (a watch means tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms);
1:45 p.m., National Weather Service issues mock tornado warning for all of Wisconsin (a warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated on weather radar. Move to a place of safety immediately);
2 p.m., End of Mock tornado watch/warning drill. A three-minute sounding of the sirens will be heard throughout Whitewater and the business alerting monitors will be tested at the same time. As in the past, there will not be an “all clear” signal given at the conclusion of the test.
The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark and/or rainy. If actual severe storms are expected in the state on April 24, the tornado drill will be postponed until Friday, April 25, with the same times as described in the drill schedule above. If severe storms are possible Friday the drill will be canceled.
Area residents are reminded not to call the local police department or fire department during severe weather unless they encounter a real emergency situation. Those who want the latest information are advised to listen to local radio and television stations for updated messages.
Also, beginning in May, a monthly testing of the outdoor sirens will be done on the first Saturday of the month at 11 a.m. A monthly test will ensure that the sirens are working properly in the event of an actual warning.
For more information regarding severe weather and siren activation contact Emergency Management Coordinator Sabrina Ojibway at (262) 473‐0570 or sojibway@whitewater‐wi.gov.
