JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Stutsman County conducted a simulated county-wide tornado exercise Wednesday morning, April 29th as part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week. The exercise began at 11:15 a.m. simulating what occurs locally when a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service.

The goal of the exercise was to test the Communications Center’s internal notification procedures county-wide including the testing of area community siren systems. The siren systems for Jamestown, Buchanan, Cleveland, Medina and Streeter were tested. Except for the City of Streeter, all sirens systems proved to be operational and ready for the summer weather season.

Because the National Weather Service did not send out “official tornado warning tones” as part of the simulation, their all-hazards weather radio system did not activate. In addition, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for AM/FM radio stations and cable TV providers was not activated. However, cable interrupt systems were tested manually. The Stutsman Alerts notification system powered by Everbridge was also not activated for this test.

The Stutsman Alerts system allows individuals to sign up for immediate notification of up to six different weather warnings including tornado, thunderstorm, flood, flash flood, winter storm and blizzard. To sign up for Stutsman Alerts, go to the Stutsman County webpage at www.co.stutsman.nd.us and click on the Stutsman Alerts window. Choose to receive weather warnings via land-line telephones, cellphones (optional text messaging) and email. Stutsman Alerts is a no-cost way to receive immediate weather warnings, but registration including a Stutsman County street address is required to utilize the service.

For those needing assistance to register, contact Stutsman County Emergency Management at 701-252-9093.