The Huron Challenge is almost here.

The bad news is a weather-related emergency is coming to Grey, Bruce, Wellington and Huron Counties that will have catastrophic results.

The good news is, it's not for real but part of a week-long emergency exercise in the region, involving municipal, county, provincial and federal agencies, along with private enterprises such as Bruce Power.

Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief of Emergency Management Ontario Allison Stuart says the so-called emergency begins Monday with ominous severe weather warnings.

The results of that weather will be played out Tuesday to Thursday, October 16th to 18th and then a post mortem on the response will be reviewed on Friday, October 19th.

Citizens of the area may notice a higher number of first responders and equipment moving from one point to another in the region.

Stuart says residents should not be alarmed by the unusual activities.

The five days of activity is making sure Ontario is better prepared taking into account public safety and the long term impact on the economy and infrastructure so communities can recover more quickly.

Communities throughout the four-county region stretching from Owen Sound to Goderich will be taking part.

By the way, if a real emergency happens during the practice run, participants have a code word that will let them know that the practice has stopped and a real emergency is underway.