Pontiac, MI - Oakland County is offering free classes to residents interested in learning how to identify and report severe weather emergencies such as tornadoes.
Skywarn is an effort to save lives during severe weather emergencies by expanding spotter networks and encouraging wider participation in tornado warning programs. Individuals who attend Skywarn training learn how to accurately observe weather emergencies such as wind and its associated damage, floods, hail and cloud features that lead to tornadoes and those that don’t.
“We know that emergency preparedness saves lives,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “Whether it’s learning to spot a tornado or developing an emergency plan, we encourage residents, businesses and organizations to heighten their awareness of severe weather.”
Coulter has declared the week of March 22-28 as Severe Weather Awareness Week, during which the county will conduct a special test of its outdoor warning system at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. Tests normally take place on Saturdays.
The classes last for 90 minutes and are offered at several locations in the county. Almost 400 residents were trained in Oakland County in 2019. Classes are open to the public, law enforcement, fire officials and amateur radio operators, among others.
The program is coordinated by the Oakland County Homeland Security Division in cooperation with the National Weather Service.
Topics covered during the training include:
- A recap of significant weather events in 2019
- Severe weather safety tips
- The role of the spotter, the National Weather Service and emergency services
- What and how to report to the National Weather Service
The spotter training classes take place on the following dates at these locations:
- Wednesday, March 4, 7-8:30 p.m., Oakland County Homeland Security Division, L. Brooks Patterson Building (41W), 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford
- Saturday, March 14, 10-11:30 a.m., Oakland County Homeland Security Division, L. Brooks Patterson Building (41W), 2100 Pontiac Lake Road., Waterford
- Saturday, March 14, 1-2:30 p.m., Oakland County Homeland Security Division, L. Brooks Patterson Building (41W), 2100 Pontiac Lake Road., Waterford
- Wednesday, March 18, 6-7:30 p.m., Oakland Community Health Network, 5505 Corporate Drive, Troy
- Oakland County Homeland Security Division, L. Brooks Patterson Building (41W), 2100 Pontiac Lake Road., Waterford
- Tuesday, March 24, 7-8:30 p.m., Rochester Fire Department, 277 E. Second St. Rochester
- Thursday, March 26, 6-7:30 p.m., Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield
- Monday, March 30, 7-8:30 p.m., Independence Township Fire Department, 6500 Citation Drive, Clarkston
For more information on Skywarn weather spotter training or developing an emergency preparedness plan, go to OakGov.com/HomelandSecurity or call 248-858-5300.