As the weather warms up, we all want to go outside and take advantage of the sun and outdoor activities. However, severe weather can occur quickly and being prepared is important. Severe Weather and Tornado Awareness Week has come and gone, but the potential remains all summer. It is important to make sure you are aware of pending weather that may affect your outdoor plans. It is also equally important, whether you're at work or at home that you have a safety plan in place. Below is a helpful link to ensure you are prepared.
Make A Plan – ReadyWisconsin
This time of year, our severe weather sirens are tested weekly, (Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.) now through Labor Day. Citizens often refer to our severe weather sirens as "tornado sirens". While the use of these sirens may be utilized for actual tornado sightings, they are also activated for severe weather. Below are general guidelines used by Waukesha County Communications, adopted by our Village, to determine if the severe weather sirens should be activated:
- Report of a rotating funnel cloud aloft or on the ground from a trained, reliable source. ( Law Enforcement, Fire Department or trained weather spotter.) Once a sighting has been reported by a reliable source, the sirens should be activated, and a notification made to the National Weather Service (NWS).
- Report of a rotating funnel cloud aloft or on the ground from a caller who is not a ‘reliable source’ should be documented and immediately sent to the respective law enforcement agency to send an officer to the area to check on the report. These reports should also be passed to the WCC shift supervisor who should contact NWS to have them validate the report for possible siren activation.
- Confirmed high wind speeds of 80 mph or greater. Winds of this magnitude not only cause damage to property, but can also pose an immediate threat to life safety.
- Request by an agency or local Emergency Management official who determines that weather conditions are posing a threat to the health, safety and property of residents.
- Receipt of notification from the National Weather Service (NWS) from an adjacent community/county reporting a tornado sighting, which may be headed to our area.
- Receiving a tornado warning from the NWS or NOAA for Waukesha County or an area immediately surrounding Waukesha County which indicates the event will directly affect Waukesha County.