Norwalk, Ohio — Huron County officials have scheduled a biannual test of the county’s Wireless Emergency Alert system for noon on Wednesday, September 3.
The county’s outdoor warning siren will be tested at the same time each month, according to a Huron County Emergency Management & Homeland Security news release issued on Wednesday.
According to the release, anyone in the county with a compatible device — which includes almost any smartphone released in the last few years — should receive an emergency alert that reads something like “This is the Huron County Emergency Management Agency conducting a TEST!” and has its own unique ringtone and vibration, similar to an Amber Alert.
“The goal of these tests is to ensure public alerting systems are functional and to ensure residents are familiar with the methods used to deliver critical emergency information,” according to a release. “By conducting the WEA test with the monthly siren test, Huron County EMA aims to create a recognizable time for residents to expect and become familiar with emergency alerting activity.”
Because the alert originates from cellular towers, residents of Milan in neighboring Erie County, Plymouth in Richland County, and other locations near the county line may also receive it.
Residents are encouraged to turn on WEA alerts on their phones. Here are some guides for both iOS and Android users:
The testing may be postponed if the weather is bad, according to officials.
This summer, the National Weather Service confirmed at least two tornadoes in Huron County: an EF-1 on August 13 in New London and an EF-1 on June 18 near Collins.
