Severe Weather Awareness Week Designated April 6th - April 12th

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CONTACT: David E. Molloy, Chief of Police, 248-347-0504
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Novi, Michigan – As the weather starts to warm up in Michigan, the time of year when severe weather starts to appear on the forecast is upon us.  Governor Jennifer Granholm has designated the week of April 6th -12th, 2008, as Severe Weather Awareness Week. During this week, Novi residents are encouraged to learn more about the risks associated with severe weather and familiarize themselves with the information necessary to help protect themselves and their property in the event of severe weather.

As part of his emergency preparedness and management responsibilities for the City, Novi Chief of Police David E. Molloy urges Novi residents to start preparing for spring and summer storms. “Along with warmer temperatures, we face the extreme weather hazards that are common during the summer months,” Molloy said.  To help prepare Novi residents each spring, the City of Novi, in partnership with the National Weather Service, promotes Severe Weather Awareness Week with these goals in mind:

• Becoming familiar with various severe weather alerts.
• Creating a preparedness kit for home and car that includes such items as a first aid kit, flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries.
• Monitoring NOAA Weather radio and local radio, television and cable stations for current weather conditions.
• Keeping an eye on the sky for threatening weather.

To increase awareness of severe weather events and promote storm safety, the Oakland County Office of Emergency Response and Preparedness will conduct a special test of the early warning sirens on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 11:30am.

Novi emergency management officials, along with the National Weather Service, stress the continued importance of education and preparation for severe weather. “Knowing what to do in advance can help prevent unnecessary panic and confusion when severe weather does strike,” commented Chief Molloy.

Learning the warning signals and assembling an emergency supply kit are two simple things each resident can do to prepare themselves and their families for severe weather. For information on how to create a family emergency plan and supply kit, visit www.ready.gov.