State to conduct tornado siren test Wednesday; many Ottawa communities still don't have them
A week after deadly tornadoes ripped through southern Michigan, a statewide tornado drill will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.
A week after deadly tornadoes ripped through southern Michigan, a statewide tornado drill will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week — however, Ottawa County will not be taking part in the drill.
The drill is designed to help individuals, families, schools, and businesses become familiar with tornado warnings and what to do if one occurs.
A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop, and that residents should stay alert and prepared. A warning, however, signals imminent danger to life and property, and residents should take shelter immediately in a basement or interior room.
The drill comes just after severe weather created multiple tornadoes in the southern part of the state on March 6 that left four dead and more than 20 people injured.
What is a tornado drill?
A tornado drill is an opportunity for residents to review their severe weather safety plan and practice getting to a safe place quickly, in the event that severe weather occurs.
During the drill, consider taking a few minutes to:
- Identify the safest shelter location, such as a basement or a small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
- Practice moving quickly to a safe place with any family, coworkers or students.
- Review where emergency supplies are located.
- Make sure to have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including weather radios, mobile alerts and trusted media sources.
- Talk with children or coworkers about tornado safety and what to expect during severe weather.
Because the statewide drill is scheduled at an unusual date and time, Ottawa County will not activate outdoor warning sirens during this statewide tornado drill.
Ottawa County conducts outdoor warning siren tests on the first Friday of each month at noon from April through October.
"We have chosen to stay on that consistent schedule to avoid confusion about when sirens are being tested versus when they may indicate an actual emergency," the county said in a news release.
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Where are sirens in Ottawa?
There are some portions of Ottawa County that are fairly well covered with tornado sirens, including the City of Holland, Zeeland and Zeeland Township, Hudsonville, Georgetown Township, Coopersville, Blendon Township, Port Sheldon Township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Township, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven and most of Grand Haven Township.
However, there are portions of the county that have no sirens at all, including Polkton, Tallmadge, Jamestown and Wright townships. Some areas have only one or two sirens, such as Chester, Crockery, Robinson, Allendale and Blendon townships.
Emergency Management Director Lou Hunt acknowledged Ottawa County is “certainly not comprehensive” in siren coverage, but said local municipalities decide whether to install them.
“The purchase of the sirens is up to the local jurisdiction,” he told The Holland Sentinel in 2025. “We do organize alerting through them, but it’s each of the townships and cities that decide if they’re going to do the financial outlay for the sirens, and then where (to place them) as well.”
Learn more about Ottawa County's Emergency Management plans at miOttawa.org/Sheriff/em.
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