Severe Weather Awareness

According to the National Weather Service, Michigan had above average severe spring weather activity across southern lower Michigan in 2011. Severe weather in Michigan claimed 4 lives and caused 31 injuries in 2011. All of the deaths and injuries came from either lightning or thunderstorm winds. Flooding, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes were responsible for about $150 Million in damages in 2011.

Preparing for extreme weather is the responsibility of every person, business and government in Macomb County.  Awareness of emergency alert signals and a developed plan of action can save lives and property damage.  Thunderstorms, flooding, lightning strikes and tornadoes are not rare occurrences in Macomb County and all citizens should be taking steps today to prepare for the hazardous event of tomorrow.

Outdoor warning sirens are located throughout Macomb County.  These sirens are utilized to warn the public of a threat in their community.  These sirens do not only warn of a possible tornado threat, they can also be used to warn of hazardous material releases, imminent threat of a nuclear attack, flood threats and other outdoor emergencies that may impact a single community or the county as a whole.  Siren activation alerts you the citizen that there is a possible threat in the area.  You should immediately go indoors, turn on the radio or television to wait for further instructions. Identifying ahead of time the area within your residence or place of business that may be utilized as a shelter from severe weather is a task that should not be put off for a rainy day.  A basement is always the preferred location for severe weather, but if you do not have access to a basement-a small room such as a closet located within a central part of your home may be the best place for you to go.

Macomb County Emergency Management has developed a guide that will help you with your pre-planning activities such as preparing an Emergency Supplies Kit, Evacuation Tips, making an Emergency Communications Plan and other important planning activities that you and your family can work on together.  The Guide Book can be found on this web site by clicking onto "Community Preparedness Guide".  You can also get multiples of this guidebook for distribution to your PTA, church groups, neighborhood association, etc. by dropping by the Office of Emergency Management, Monday - Friday, 8-4.  We are located at 21930 Dunham, Mount Clemens.

Ready Business

In a nationwide effort to raise the business community's awareness about how to prepare their businesses and employees in the event of an emergency, the Advertising Council, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross, announced on June 13, 2011 the launch of a new public service advertisement (PSA) on behalf of Ready Business.   www.ready.gov/business is a new online resource  that offers an interactive tool that will give business owners a clear picture of the preparedness level of their business and what further steps they need to get their business ready.

Please visit www.ready.gov/business for online resources, including the Red Cross' Ready Rating business preparedness tool.

Macomb Flood Facts

Flash floods are the number one weather-related killer in the United States.  Many flash flood deaths occur when people drive or walk on roads and bridges that are covered by water.  Even six inches of fast moving flood water can knock you off your feet, and a depth of only two feet will float many of today's automobiles.  The main locations within Macomb County that are most flood prone are:

• North Avenue, between 21 and 26 Mile Roads
• 21 Mile Road, West of North Avenue
• 21 and 23 Mile Roads, at or near Romeo Plank
• The City of Utica, West of Van Dyke, South of M-59 and East of Utica Road
• Most parks and golf courses

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a flood:

• Make an itemized list of personal property well in advance of a flood occurrence.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing: first aid kit, canned food and manual can opener, bottled water, extra clothing, rubber boots and gloves, NOAA Weather Alert Radio, battery operated radio, emergency cooking  equipment, flashlight and batteries.
• If you live in a flood prone area, keep sandbags, plastic sheets and lumber on hand to protect property.  Install check valves in building sewer traps.
• Know the elevation of your home in relation to nearby water routes and FEMA Flood Zones.

During a Flood:

• Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding.
• Never try to walk or drive your car across flowing water if you are unsure of the water's depth.
• Keep children away from playing in flooded streets, culverts and storm drains.

After a Flood:

• Refer to local Health Department and Emergency Management press releases for guidance as to boiling water requirements, proper cleaning techniques for personal property and open shelters in your community.
• Use flashlights, not lanterns or candles to examine your house.  Flammables may be present and loose.
• Do not enter your home if you are unsure of the status of electricity in the home.  Submerged outlets and live wires make for an extremely dangerous condition.

Additional information:

Macomb County Emergency Management has developed an "Emergency Planning Booklet" that is available free to the public.  Copies of this booklet are available online at www.macombcountymi.gov/OEM or at the Office of Emergency Management, Mon-Fri, 8-4 located at 21930 Dunham, Mount Clemens.

For more information on Flood Insurance offered here in Michigan through the National Flood Insurance Program, link onto www.floodsmart.gov.

What is Emergency Management?

Anticipating and preparing for a worst case disaster scenario is the job of Macomb County's Office of Emergency Management, the organization responsible for planning and coordinating all response and recovery actions to any emergency situation or Homeland Security threat that may occur in Macomb County. The Office of Emergency Management is located at 21930 Dunham, Mt. Clemens, 48043.  Macomb County Emergency Management is also responsible for the Planning, Preparing, Response and Mitigation efforts of 22 local jurisdictions within Macomb County. The Cities of Warren, Sterling Heights and Clinton Township maintain their own Offices of Emergency Management.  The City of Memphis has opted to fall under the authority of the St. Clair County Office of Emergency Management as that city lies within both Macomb and St. Clair County's.

This department ensures the efficient utilization of county, local and volunteer resources during periods of emergency and disaster events, and discharges county responsibilities as directed by the Michigan Emergency Management Act (P. A. 390, 1990).  This coordination is conducted within the Macomb County Emergency Operations Center, where during an emergency, county and local officials coordinate the response and recovery activities to natural and/or man-made disasters.

In an effort to help citizens with their emergency preparedness planning, the Office of Emergency Management has developed a booklet that is a beneficial planning tool to the home and business owner.  A free copy of this booklet may be requested by calling 469-5270 or, for a large number of books, simply drop by the office Monday through Friday to pick up multiple copies, or you can find the book on this web site (Preparedness Info).

The Office of Emergency Management  also organizes periodic workshops and exercises for local police, fire, damage assessment, health and safety personnel.  These practice sessions prepare emergency personnel for action during a real crisis.  Such exercises help participants identify their strengths and weaknesses allowing them a chance to improve before the real event occurs.  The staff of Emergency Management would be glad to come out to your organization or group to help you with your emergency planning.  Give us a call at 586-469-5270 for more information.

See Something, Say Something

The United States Department of Homeland Security is encouraging you, the American Citizen, to become more involved in the fight against terrorism by encouraging you to be alert and to report suspicious activity whenever it is observed.  The "See Something, Say Something" campaign is intended to make the possibility of a terrorist attack more difficult by enlisting the eyes and ears of this Country's Citizenry.

It may be difficult to determine when to report something suspicious.  People most familiar with a given environment are in the best position to determine whether or not something is out of the ordinary.  Use common sense and follow these simple guidelines:

• Trust your instincts; if something feels wrong, don't ignore it
• Never assume that someone else has already reported it
• Call Local authorities
• Keep your distance-Never approach a suspicious person or package

When you make a report, be ready to provide your name, your location, a description of what you think is suspicious and the time you saw it.  Remember, let the professionals assess the situation and to make the determination as to whether the situation is a real threat or just an honest mistake.

If you do not know your local police departments phone number, just dial 911.  Important numbers to remember are:

The Macomb County Sheriff - 586-469-5151

The Federal Bureau of Investigation - 313-965-2323