Tornado siren what does it mean

A free household emergency plan template from Ready. Gov can be found here. Therefore, people should continue to shelter in place while monitoring weather alerts. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible during severe weather events, according to the National Weather Service. After the threat is lifted, the Chicago emergency management office advises that people check their immediate environment and report fallen trees, flooded streets and damaged public utilities like power lines.

Wear protective clothing — long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes — while evaluating property damage. Emergency personnel should also be notified of injuries, the weather service said. Skip to content. A tornado watch verses a tornado warning. Taking shelter. Put on shoes and helmets while sheltering in place to prevent injuries from debris.

What to put in an emergency preparedness kit. More snow could come Sunday, too. Nonperishable water and food for several days. Flashlight with extra batteries. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio to receive weather alerts. Location Help. News Headlines. Please Share! Customize Your Weather. Privacy Policy. Current Hazards. Local Radar. Rivers and Lakes. Climate and Past Weather. How often can I expect the sirens to sound for severe weather?

What does it mean when I hear the outdoor warning sirens? When life-threatening weather is approaching, minutes or even seconds could make a difference. If people are unsure or confused about an alert, they may not respond quickly or appropriately.

By adopting common outdoor warning system guidelines, confusion will be eliminated, response time will be reduced, and lives will be saved. Throughout the Quad City metro area, communities have adopted a common protocol for sounding their outdoor warning systems sirens. Follow us on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook. Follow us on YouTube. Stephanie Sichting, director of Johnson County Emergency Managegment, says nearby counties have tried to come up with a universal sounding system, but that hasn't happened.

Because of this, one neighboring county can have their sirens on while the other doesn't. Sichting's office will get calls about people asking about the weather because they can hear Marion County's sirens. The statewide guidelines say sirens should not be sounded just because of a tornado warning in a neighboring county. Sichting said Johnson County will also sound sirens if the county is under a severe thunderstorm warning and then a tornado watch is added onto that warning.

Marion County Emergency Management did not respond to multiple requests about their protocol. When you hear a warning siren, you should go inside and shelter away from windows and check the news or an all-hazards weather radio for further information.

The National Weather Service says if you're outside, such as in a vehicle, sheltering in a shed, storage unit or tent is not safe. Instead, you should get down in your car, covering you head with your arms and hands. You can also abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in a low-lying area such as a ravine or a ditch while still covering your self with your hands and arms or a coat or blanket.

Booker recommends all homes have an all-hazards weather radio and not to rely just on smartphones. Weather radios are battery operated and can relay important information regarding severe weather and tornadoes. Email IndyStar reporter Justice Amick at jamick gannett.