Siren Test Today

Sirens in Kent Co. (and some other counties) are tested on the first Friday of the month from April to October.

It's the first Friday of the month, so some counties (inc. Kent) will be testing their tornado sirens today. Usually, the first Friday siren test is at noon. For decades the siren test at noon marked the start of Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids. It was a fun event. I emceed stages at Festival for close to 50 years, starting in 1975.

In Kent County, there is one button to sound the sirens for the city of Grand Rapids (I believe that's still at police dispatch) and one for the rest of the county.sssssd'd (cat just walked across my computer).

Sirens are meant to warn you if you are outside. Not everyone outside will be able to hear a siren and it will be harder to hear if a strong, loud wind is blowing at the time.

The test is not done if the weather looks threatening.

Have an awesome weekend!