BerquistJerrymediumJamestown (CSi) Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist reports that Stutsman County participated in the simulated state-wide tornado exercise Wednesday morning, April 27, 2016 as part of Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week.

The exercise began at 11:15 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, Cleveland and Streeter proved to be operational and ready for the summer weather season. Jamestown sirens were also tested; however, the siren located at Lakeside Marina malfunctioned. An effort is underway to get the marina siren repaired and ready for 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 real weather warnings where the warning boundaries are identified. To sign up for CodeRED Weather Warning, go to the Stutsman County webpage at http://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.