Spring is just about a month away. With that in mind, the Hillsdale County Office of Emergency Management has announced the date for the first test of Outdoor Warning sirens for the year.
The first test is set for Monday, March 2nd, at 10:00 am.
The tests are conducted monthly, from March through October, to help ensure the sirens are ready to alert the public in case of a tornado or other emergencies. The sirens will emit a steady tone for about one minute during the test.
In a real emergency, the sirens will sound for three to five minutes.
While the sirens are designed to be heard outdoors, their effectiveness inside buildings can vary. Officials remind listeners that sirens are just one part of a broader safety plan.
To stay informed, residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency weather notifications through the Smart911 website or app.
More information on creating a family disaster plan can be found at Michigan.gov/miready or Ready.gov.