Why did sirens go off in West Michigan? Here’s what we found out [Video]

These dangerous winds caused emergency managers in several counties to activate their sirens. 

Some are asking why did sirens go off when there were no reports of a tornado? 

Emergency sirens are one way to alert the community of potentially life-threatening weather. 

“County emergency management officials may sound sirens for severe thunderstorms that have potential to produce over 70 mph wind gusts,” the National Weather Service’s Grand Rapids office said. “Winds at or above 70 mph will typically bring large limbs or entire trees down, with a greater risk for damage to structures.”

The NWS radar sampled winds of 70 to 80 mph in some cases. 

In Ottawa County, Emergency Management Director Lou Hunt explained that sirens are used to alert the public to a dangerous situation, seek cover, and search for more information. 

“I think in …