The Baldwin Area EMS
Department
would like to remind citizens that the first
Wednesday of every month the Outdoor Warning Sirens are tested
between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. If you live near a siren
and notice it does not go off during that time, please
notify the Village offices so proper maintenance may take
place. Tests may be postponed if severe weather is present on the
day of the test.
April 19-23, 2004 is severe weather
awareness week in Wisconsin. A state wide “TEST” will be conducted
on Thursday the 22nd with a Tornado watch test at 1:00 PM
and a Tornado warning test 1:40 PM. If severe weather is present on
the 22nd, the test will be postponed until the
23rd. If severe weather is present on the
23rd, the test will be canceled all
together.
The outdoor warning sirens are meant
to warn you when outdoors. You may not hear them inside your house
and they may not awaken you during the night.
We strongly advise
people to purchase a NOAA weather alert radio. Several retail stores sell
these types of live saving radios starting from
$15.
GET IN, TUNE IN!
When the National Weather
Service issues a storm warning for St. Croix County or a
certified weather spotter reports a severe storm, the St. Croix
County Emergency Communications Center activates the sirens
throughout the entire county. While you may see clear sky in Baldwin
and Hammond, severe weather is in the county and may be moving this
way.
GET IN, TUNE
IN! The outdoor warning sirens may
also be activated for serious hazardous materials spills and other dangerous situations
or emergencies. Outdoor warning sirens are no longer called “tornado
sirens” for that reason.
Incidentally, there is no longer an “all clear” siren sounded
once a warning has expired.
GET IN, TUNE
IN! When the sirens sound, tune
into your radio or TV (WCCO, Weather Channel or Cable TV Channel 12)
for local emergency messages regarding the siren activation. DO
NOT CALL 9-1-1 !!
Storm Information:
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Means that conditions are favorable for
thunderstorms that may produce wind gusts to 58 mph or stronger or
hail to 3/4 inch or larger. These watches are issued for 1 to 12
hours at a time and often include several counties. Stay informed,
watch the sky, and take cover if a severe thunderstorm approaches
you.
Severe Thunderstorm
Warning
Means that radar or a trained spotter has
detected a severe thunderstorm. Take cover if you are near the
severe thunderstorm.
Tornado Watch
Means that conditions are favorable
for tornadoes to develop. It is normally issued for several hours
and may include several counties. If you are in or near the tornado
watch area, stay informed via NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio,
or television. Keep your eye on the sky and be prepared to take
cover at short notice.
Tornadoes can occur with little or no
warning.
Tornado Warning
Means that a tornado has been sighted or a
developing tornado is reported by trained spotters or indicated on
Doppler radar. A warning is typically issued for a small area and
usually expires in about an hour. If a tornado warning is issued in
your area TAKE COVER
IMMEDIATELY!
Flash Flood Watch
This is issued when a heavy rain may
develop and result in flash flooding in or near the watch
area.
Flash Flood Warning
Flash flooding in the warning area has
developed or is imminent. If you’re in a low-lying area move to
higher ground at once!
Urban and Small Stream Flood
Advisory
Local flooding of small streams, streets,
or low lying areas such as railroad underpasses is occurring or is
imminent.
The Baldwin Community Center is opened by the
EMS Department in the event of severe
weather.
