How severe weather alerts work in northern Michigan
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
Deadly floods in Texas last week have left at least 111 people dead, with more than 160 still missing.
The media and experts are discussing what kinds of alerts made it to those in harm's way, and whether something different would have saved more lives.
And that made us wonder: What do weather alerts look like here in Michigan?
Patrick Bak, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said the weather service has a few different ways to alert people in an emergency.
The state of Michigan has more information about emergency alerts in the state.
Wireless Emergency Alerts: These look like text messages and have a specific sound and vibration when they're received.
Emergency Alert System: This is run through the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the National Weather Service and other agencies. Bak said the Emergency Alert System is a way for broadcast companies to work with various agencies to get out alert messages through broadcasters, cable TV, and satellite providers. (You may hear those being tested from time to time on IPR.)
The National Weather Service can trigger those locally to include weather events such as tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, or flash flood warnings.
NOAA Weather Radio: The aptly named Weather Radio is run through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and broadcasts continuous weather information from the nearest Weather Service office on radio frequencies around the country.
Local coordination: Counties also have their own systems for getting information out to people. Depending on where you live, you may have to opt in, so it's worth checking out how to do that in your area. The state has info on how to sign up.
One example of extreme weather in northern Michigan is when a deadly tornado hit Gaylord in 2022. Bak said the Weather Service was issuing severe thunderstorm warnings when the storm first developed and moved on shore toward Frankfort.
'That complex kind of moved to the northeast, and it kind of went through an evolution, and then we issued a tornado warning as it was getting close to Otsego County,' he said.
One central concept is 'lead time' — the time between when a warning is issued and when the weather hits an area. Faster moving systems like thunderstorms usually mean less time to warn people of what's coming.
'You can't get as much lead time because they're very localized. And as far as the details, you can't give that much information too early,' he said.
Bak framed this as a 'balancing act,' where they worked to give people enough time to act while still forecasting an event accurately and avoiding 'alert fatigue.'
Bak said having multiple ways to get alerts and information will mean you're more prepared.
A place with low cell service may not receive alerts on time, for instance. 'If you had a weather radio with you, or you're listening to a radio station, you might be able to get that alert that you wouldn't be able to get over your phone in that particular instance,' he said. 'By having more ways to receive, you have a better hope of receiving that alert.'
Finally, he said, it's important to have a plan in case of severe weather.
Grist has a comprehensive guide to help you stay ready and informed before, during, and after a disaster.
Learn how to navigate disaster relief and response.
Get prepared. Learn how to be ready for a disaster before you're affected.
Explore the full Disaster 101 resource guide for more on your rights and options when disaster hits.
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