JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Emergency sirens will be tested statewide as part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week.

The siren test has been held annually as part of the week to remind the public of the dangers associated with severe summer weather including lightning, high winds, large hail, flash floods, and tornadoes.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager and 911 Coordinator Jerry Bergquist says the county will conduct the tornado exercise beginning at 11:15 AM today. The exercise simulates what occurs locally when a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service.

Bergquist says volunteers are posted at each site to ensure they all work properly. He says Jamestown will also be testing a siren in its newest location this time around.

Read more about the expected increase in siren coverage here.

Because the National Weather Service will not directly be involved with the exercise, the simulated warning will not be broadcast through the National Weather Service all-hazards weather radio system. Also, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for local AM/FM radio stations and cable television providers will not be activated.

The most common reason a communities warning sirens are activated is to warn the public of a possible tornado. However, sirens could also be activated to alert the public of other types of events that could be a danger to the community.

Click here for more about Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week.

This week is Severe Summer Weather Awareness week. Each day this week, NewsDakota will be highlighting a different aspect of summer weather and preparations being made for Stutsman County.