Changes with the Counties alert testing system

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It may be spring, but it doesn’t feel like it with the late winter weather we’ve been experiencing. In case our area gets hit with severe weather, the St. Clair County Emergency Management has an alert system in place to warm residents to take action. However, some changes are being made according to Jeff Friedland, with St. Clair County Emergency Management. Instead of the usual 3 minute TEST that many are accustomed to, now residents will hear a 30 second alert. He notes the reduced warning period will also make life better for those that live near the sirens. Friedland says warnings are issued not just for severe weather, but also for dangerous chemical releases. If you hear a prolonged siren; go inside, close your windows and turn on local media. It may take a few minutes, Friedland notes, but the main thing is to get inside. A few minutes of inconvenience may save your life. He says the important thing is to get the word out if there is a warning. We live in Michigan, and bad weather can come out of nowhere. Next week is severe weather awareness week with a statewide tornado drill set for Wednesday afternoon.