Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will conduct a separate test on each of the 70 early warning sirens near the Cook Nuclear Plant during the weeks of August 22 and 29. The sirens are within a 10-mile radius of the plant and would be activated by Berrien County Emergency Management to alert the public to emergency situations. This could include severe weather, industrial or transportation chemical spills or activation of the Cook Nuclear Plant emergency plan.

Each siren will be tested individually and sound readings taken to ensure complete coverage of the area. Annual preventive maintenance and battery checks will also be performed.

Testing is expected to take place Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Testing involves sounding each siren three to four times for about 30 seconds to obtain readings and make adjustments. Testing will be suspended during severe weather conditions to avoid confusion with an actual emergency. In the event of an actual emergency, early warning sirens are sounded continuously for three minutes.

The regular first Saturday of the month test at 1:00 p.m. where all sirens are simultaneously sounded for approximately one-minute will take place on September 3.