OakAlert Helps County Residents Prepare for Emergencies

OakAlert logo on desktop

In the event of an emergency, it is critically important for you to be prepared and informed. Oakland County‘s emergency notification system, OakAlert, empowers residents to be aware of extreme incidents throughout the county, such as:

  • Chemical spills impacting public health
  • Outdoor warning siren activation (will not include other weather watches, warnings, or advisories)
  • Active assailant situations causing an evacuation or shelter-in-place orders
  • Significant road closures such as a highway closure, not lane closures or daily traffic incidents
  • Closure or interruption in service of county operations
  • Additional notifications affecting the health and safety of the county

It takes just 90 seconds to sign up and could be the difference in how you face the next emergency.

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Oakland County Twisters: A Historical Guide

A large two-story home with large, moving clouds above it. The sky is darkening and it appears that bad weather is on its way.

If you’re fascinated by weather, you’ll love our Tornadoes Map, created with data from local weather geek Matt Malone by Oakland County’s award-winning GIS team. It shows a limited history of the tornado paths and touchdown points, and their EF scale ratings, from 1953 – 2015. Go back to July of 1957, and view the path of an EF4 tornado that traveled 29.9 miles, almost all the way across the southern portion of Oakland County. In 1998, a funnel was spotted after having touched down near Otter Road and Sylvan Lake. It lifted without causing any damage – what a relief! Click on the map to learn more and get details on twisters that touched down here in the past.

A screenshot of a GIS Map of tornado paths and starting/touchdown points in Oakland County, Michigan ca. 1953-2015. Data provided by NOAA, OCIT, and Matt Malone of Farmington Hills GIS. Continue reading

September is National Preparedness Month

Hand completing Emergency Preparation List by Equipment

Do you know what to do when disaster strikes? Do you, your family, neighbors, and co-workers have a plan in the event of a fire, medical emergency, or extreme weather?

National Preparedness Month is a time for residents to plan ahead. Being ready during an emergency is not just about personal safety; it is about protecting loved ones and first responders, who risk their own well-being to protect others. Oakland County Homeland Security is helping residents during National Preparedness Month with the “Your Emergency Plan” downloadable form. Continue reading