April 8, 2016, Canton, MI – Canton Public Safety’s Emergency Management Office is promoting Michigan’s Severe Weather Awareness week by encouraging everyone to review thunderstorm, lightning and tornado safety precautions.
“Residents should not be complacent when it comes to planning for severe weather, as these events can happen anywhere any time,” says Emergency Management Planner Kathy Rich.
Canton experienced an F-1 tornado on December 23, 2015. Fortunately no one was injured when the 90-mile per hour winds came through, but they did caused over $500,000 in property damage.
“The best time to prepare for severe weather is before it happens,” says Rich. “Have a plan in place that includes everyone in your family knowing where to go and what to do during severe weather, regardless of where they are at the time.”
Canton will be participating in a statewide outdoor warning siren test being held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, between 1 – 1:30 p.m. This test is in addition to the monthly siren testing Canton conducts on the first Saturday of every month at 1 p.m.
“The outdoor warning siren system is designed to warn people outdoors to take shelter for impending dangerous weather,” adds Rich.
Canton has 16 sirens strategically placed around the community for maximum outdoor notification coverage.
For more information on severe weather safety or the outdoor warning siren system, contact Canton‘s Emergency Management Office at 734/394-5357, or visit www.cantonpublicsafety.org/emergencymanagement..