Wellston, Mich. Thursday, December 01, 2016 - Emergency public warning sirens and speaker systems near Consumers Energy’s Tippy and Hodenpyl hydroelectric generating plants on the Manistee River will be tested on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at approximately 9 a.m.. 

Sirens are located near Tippy Dam, High Bridge U.S. Forest Service boat launch, Hodenpyl Dam and Red Bridge U.S. Forest Service boat launch. 

The test will include a voice message, a 30-second siren and a second voice message. The public does not need to take any action during the tests. The siren systems are tested each August and December.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires hydroelectric facilities to be able to quickly notify residents and visitors of any developing emergency at the plants.

In an emergency, the sirens would be used only if the threat of a dam failure is imminent at a facility. At that time, anyone on or near the river should evacuate at once to high ground. More information would be provided on local radio and television stations.

Consumers Energy offers a safety caution to those who visit dams in the winter.

“Ice on a reservoir near a hydroelectric facility is not reliable and should be avoided by snowmobilers, anglers and others,” said Bill Schoenlein, Consumers Energy’s manager of hydro and renewable generation. “Also, ice-covered water down river from a hydroelectric facility should never be considered a safe place to walk.” 

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.