The week of April 12, 2021, has designated as Wisconsin Tornado Awareness Week. Since 2012, the statewide drill has included an Emergency Alert System (EAS) live code test, triggered by the National Weather Service and relayed to NOAA Weather Radios and Wisconsin broadcast television and radio stations. This year, and from now on, the live code test will not be used during a test. This is the alert tones that you hear on your weather radio, radio and television just before a weather warning is issued. Municipalities are still urged to test their tornado sirens on Thursday, April 15, 2021. The testing time for sirens that day is at 1:45 p.m. and again at 6:45 p.m.

Several states doing EAS live codes during a test have found coding errors that have resulted in unintended Wireless Emergency Alerts messages going to out to mobile (cell phone) users. These texts did not indicate that it was a test, making it appear as if an actual tornado warning had been issued. Due to these concerns, and without an effective way to resolve this, Wisconsin Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the Wisconsin Emergency Alert Systems Committee has permanently discontinued the EAS live code test portion of the drill.

Tanna McKeon, Green County Emergency Management Director, urges everyone to take this opportunity to practice your emergency plans – that includes at school, home and at work. Make sure you have a designated place to take shelter during a severe storm or tornado.

For more information on emergency planning, contact Green County Emergency Management at (608) 328-9416. Other good resources for emergency planning can be found on our website at https://greencountyem.com, and follow us on Facebook. Ready Wisconsin at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov is also a good resource for planning.