Watertown to Test Emergency Alert Systems This Friday

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - As part of Severe Weather Week, the City of Watertown and Codington County Emergency Management have announced a comprehensive test of the community’s emergency alert systems scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026.

The exercise is designed to ensure all systems are functioning correctly and to familiarize residents with the alerts they may encounter during the upcoming severe weather season.

Test Schedule and System Details

Residents should expect two distinct alerts on Friday morning:

·         9:45 a.m. – CodeRED Test: A trial alert will be sent through the CodeRED system. This service delivers time-sensitive emergency notifications directly to registered residents via phone calls and emails.

·         10:00 a.m. – Outdoor Warning Sirens: A test of the physical siren network will follow the digital alert. Officials remind the public that these sirens are intended to warn people outdoors to seek immediate shelter.

How to Prepare

City officials encourage all residents to use this test as an opportunity to review their personal safety plans. To ensure you receive direct notifications, you can register and select your preferred contact methods at www.watertownalerts.com.

Looking Ahead

Following this special Severe Weather Week event, the city will transition into its routine maintenance schedule. Regular weekly siren testing is slated to begin on Friday, April 24, at noon. These weekly tests will continue through the end of September, pending favorable weather conditions.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the City of Watertown's official website.