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5 Spring 2015 Communities in Washington County are susceptible to all different kinds of hazards! Because severe weather can threaten the lives and property of Minnesotans at any time, April 13-17, 2015 is designated as Severe Weather Awareness Week. This week is intended to increase awareness and education about steps in- dividuals, businesses, and families can take to better prepare for emergencies. Washington County will mark this week by participating in the Statewide Tornado Drill on Thursday, April 16. Check out our website for more information on how to be better prepared in an emer- gency and some interesting facts about weather! www. co.washington.mn.us/emergencymanagement Look under “Severe Weather Awareness” You can always find more information by following us on the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page! You can find us at: Facebook.com/wcsomn Washington County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Man- agement Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 13-17 Make Sure Your Family is Prepared in the Case of Severe Weather How many outdoor warning sirens are in Washington County? There are currently 93 sirens in Washington County. How are these sirens tested? Washington County Sheriff’s Office 911 Communication Center tests/ activates all sirens in the Wash- ington County at 1:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, from March through October. Whose responsibility is it to main- tain these sirens? Cities/Township’s that have sirens in Washington County purchases and maintains their own sirens. What are Washington County’s policies detailing the circum- stances under which the sirens would be sounded? The National Weather Service con- tacts the State Warning Point (Min- nesota State Patrol), who is then responsible for disseminating all watches and warnings to Washing- ton County, except warnings for con- ditions generated within the county itself. For severe weather warnings, out- door warning siren activation in Washington County is based on the following criteria: • When a Tornado Warning is is- sued for Washington County by the National Weather Service. (Sirens are activated for each Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service. It is possible for a new Warning to be issued before a previous Warn- ing expires.) • When the National Weather Ser- vice indicates sustained wind speeds of 70 miles per hour or more. • When a City or County Pub- lic Safety Official (Police, Fire) requests activation due to im- minent danger to life and/or property. In this situation, Wash- ington County also notifies the National Weather Service Office in Chanhassen. After a warning or siren activation request is received, Washington County Sheriff’s Office 911 Com- munications Center determines which areas of the county are af- fected by warning: • NORTH - All outdoor warning si- rens located North of I94 • SOUTH - All outdoor warning si- rens located South of Highway 96 • COUNTY WIDE: All outdoor warning sirens within Washing- ton County For Your Safety • Washington County does not is- sue an “all-clear” tone from the outdoor sirens. Such a signal may be confusing to residents in the event of additional warnings. • Outdoor warning sirens are meant to be heard outside. When sirens sound, residents should always seek shelter and tune to local weather information on ra- dio, television, or NOAA weather radio for more information. • When the sirens are sounded, they will run for three minutes and then stop. The threat of severe weather does not stop when the sirens stop! Residents should continue to shelter and stay tuned to local weather in- formation on radio, television or NOAA Weather Radios for the duration of the warning period. • Many TV stations and internet sites also have tools that can send warnings to your com- puter and cellular phone. NOAA weather radios are also a good tool to warn residents of severe weather, whether indoors or out- side. Things to Know about Washington County’s Outdoor Warning Sirens