Jamestown  (CSi)  Stutsman County participated in the simulated statewide tornado exercise Wednesday morning, April 26, 2017, as part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week.  The exercise began at 11:18 a.m. with a test tornado warning initiated by the National Weather Service.

As part of the exercise, the county’s emergency operations plan was tested, which includes activating siren systems for several communities in the County.  The sirens in Medina, Buchanan, and Cleveland proved to be operational and ready for the summer weather season.  The siren in Streeter failed to activate.  Local Streeter officials will see that repairs are made.  Jamestown sirens were also tested; however, the siren located at Lifestyle Appliance in the SW part of town malfunctioned.  An effort is underway to get the siren repaired and ready for summer use.

In addition, the National Weather Service activated its All Hazards Radio System, which allowed local radio stations and cable TV providers to test their Emergency Alert Systems.

The CodeRED Weather Warning system that Stutsman County subscribes to was not part of the exercise.  CodeRED is designed to warn individuals that have addresses located within a warned area.  Since the “simulated” tornado warning did not identify specific warned boundaries, the system did not activate.  CodeRED Weather Warning activates for actual weather warnings where the warning boundaries are identified.

To sign up for CodeRED Weather Warning, go to the Stutsman County webpage at www.co.stutsman.nd.us and click on the CodeRED icon at the bottom of the page.  Choose to receive tornado, thunderstorm and/or flash flood warnings via land-line telephones, cell-phones (optional text messaging), VOIP phones and email.  CodeRED Weather Warning is a no-cost way to receive immediate weather warnings, but you must register for the service.  For those needing assistance to register, contact Stutsman County Emergency Management at 701-252-9093.