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Day 2: Tornado Awareness Including All-Hazard NOAA Weather Radios and Outdoor Warning Sirens

Posted on 3/4/2014 7:30:00 AM

Tuesday, Day 2

Welcome to Day Two of Severe Weather Awareness Week! Today is Tornado Awareness Day!

At 1:30 PM, a simulated Tornado Warning will be issued. A Warning means that a tornado has been spotted or detected on radar.

 

Outdoor Warning Siren System: Misconceptions, General Information, & Meaning

  • Outdoor Warning Sirens are one of the many methods to warn of impending weather.
  • Sirens are intended to provide warning to those in recreational areas or who are outside. Broadcast media and All Hazard Radios warn people who are indoors.
  • There are 40 sirens in Douglas County.
  • Sirens are located in the most heavily populated and recreational areas.
  • The outdoor warning sirens for any or all of the cities in Douglas County are activated when the National Weather Service issues a “Tornado warning” or when a local determination is made that a tornado threat to the area exists.
  • There is NOT an All Clear siren sound. If you hear the sirens...Take Cover!

Testing of the Outdoor Warning Siren System:

The outdoor warning sirens will be tested on a regular basis.  The test will occur at 12 Noon on the first Monday during the months August through February, and on the first and third Monday during the months March through July.

NOAA Weather Radios: Features and Facts

  • All Hazard Radios have battery back-up.
  • Equipped with a special alarm tone that will sound an   alert and give immediate information about a weather, natural or man-made emergency, or a life– threatening (or community–  specific AMBER alert) situation.
  • SAME (Specific Area Message Encoder) pinpoints alerts for your area, reducing false alarms.
  • The hearing and visually impaired also can get these warnings by connecting weather radios with alarm tones, strobe lights, pagers, bed-shaker’s, etc.
NOAA Weather radios are a cost effective and reliable method to receive warning of impending weather.

Monitoring local radio and TV along with your weather radio will keep you informed of changing weather conditions.

IRIS, a Free Call Notification System

Douglas County offers a free call notification system, IRIS, in which you can get weather alerts on your phone via voice, text, and e-mail. Sign up today by visiting http://bit.ly/IRIS_Info

 

WHAT TO DO WHEN THREATENING WEATHER APROACHES:

  • When the sirens sound or when severe weather threatens, take the following safety precautions:
  • In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.
  • If a basement is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
  • Stay away from windows.
  • If your are driving a vehicle, do not try to outrun a tornado. Abandon the vehicle, and move into a pre-designated shelter or the lowest level of a building. If a suitable structure is not available, lie flat in a ditch or depression, cover your head and neck with your arms, and be aware of flash flooding.
  • Mobile home, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.

 

If all else fails remember the word DUCK:

Down to the lowest level

Under something sturdy

Cover your head

Keep in shelter until the storm passes

It’s Up to YOU!!

After you have received the warning or observed threatening skies, YOU must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives. It could be the most important decision you will ever make.

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