Tornado siren activation in Oklahoma

[Gilligan]

I was just thinking the other day how when there is a thunderstorm with the potential for tornadic activity, it seems like the tornado sirens sometimes go off when nothing has been spotted or just when conditions are right for a tornado. I would like to actually get a straight answer from the people who know about this.

What is the determining factor in deciding whether to activate any particular tornado siren in Oklahoma? (or at least the OKC metro area)

Also, are the sirens actually set off from the OKC Emergency Operations Center or from the National Weather Service in Norman?

 

[Freqed]

it seems like the tornado sirens sometimes go off when nothing has been spotted or when conditions are right for a tornado.

Well for this part, this is sometimes due to a lightning strike setting off sirens by mistake. It is usually reported by local news media outlets when it has occured.

 

[dbestfirefighter]

Whelen system is capable of much more that just a siren, but it is set off when a tornado warning is received at the 911 center downtown. Here is a link of what they are capable of YouTube - Talking Tornado Sirens
But due to our wonderfull city leadership they think that this will instill fear.....

 

[WX5JCH]

Our policy is that a tornado has to be confirmed to be in the area by a trained storm spotter. ie. FD, or PD. I've called in several over the years. Ham operator reports won't set off the sirens, but we will send out spotters to verify. It doen't do me any good at home I can't even hear one inside...

 

[plaws]

Also, are the sirens actually set off from the OKC Emergency Operations Center or from the National Weather Service in Norman

Counties (that have them) and municipalities activate sirens, not the NWS. Sirens may be activated for situations other than NWS Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. It's entirely a local government decision.

 

[SABRE46]

In our town, our sirens are set off by us. We just put a new Federal Signal system in and they can be activated by many different methods.

 

[eharlow]

I kinda dig the talking sirens......makes people take it seriously.

 

[grack]

Our policy is that a tornado has to be confirmed to be in the area by a trained storm spotter. ie. FD, or PD. I've called in several over the years. Ham operator reports won't set off the sirens, but we will send out spotters to verify. It doen't do me any good at home I can't even hear one inside...

Tornado sirens are outdoor warning systems. Houses are constructed too tight for sirens to penetrate effectively. At least without them bursting ear drums near the siren.

 

[foster_006]

In our town, our sirens are set off by us. We just put a new Federal Signal system in and they can be activated by many different methods.

Care to elaborate?

 

[SABRE46]

Care to elaborate?

Sure! We can set them off by the computer at Station 1, by a manual control box at the same location, by encoder, or by phone. You can set off 1 siren, a group of them or all of them with a mouse click. The sirens individual status are monitored by their own dedicated computer. No running them for 6-10 minutes like Tinker likes to do. Ours "burp" basically and turn long enough for them to report back that they are ok. It's a lot better than the old setup we had.

 

[KD5WLX]

Some counties still have the older styles, and may or may not be able to control them individually. It's not uncommon for a warning in the "far corner" of one county to cause the EOC to set off the sirens for the whole county - just because they have no choice - it's all or none.

Others may have "zones" but still have cases where the actual cell that's triggering the warning is a long ways from the siren you are hearing.

But (at least for the "dumb" sirens) all it means is "go inside, get your portable radio, and seek shelter as per instructions". If the "instructions" are it's 30 miles away and going the other direction, so be it.

 

[plaws]

Ours "burp" basically and turn long enough for them to report back that they are ok. It's a lot better than the old setup we had.

On the old (real!) mechanical sirens, it was called a Growl Test ...


Not this real: VictorySiren.com™ - The Internet home of the Chrysler Air Raid Siren

Yeah, it's a Hemi.

 

[grack]

On the old (real!) mechanical sirens, it was called a Growl Test ...


Not this real: VictorySiren.com™ - The Internet home of the Chrysler Air Raid Siren

Yeah, it's a Hemi.

American Signal still uses the growl terminology.

 

[PolarBear25]

Midwest City sounds when the N.W.S has issued a tornado warning for Oklahoma county in central Oklahoma with Midwest City mentioned in the warning area. Or if the F.D. has a need for civil warning. Midwest City is zoned in to four zones NW, NE, SW, SE from the point of E. Reno and N./S. Midwest boulevard. But the sirens can be sounded in all zones mode.

 

[oSutrooper]

Here is the way it works for Oklahoma City.......

The only time the sirens can be set off is when there is a warning from the national weather service. There have been times that the tornado is on the ground and being called in by citizens and officers but until the NWS say so it doesn't happen. The sirens are set off @ the EOC (better known as Police Dispatch) (by the supervisor on duty or by another employee). The system is set up so that you can do the following:

Set off by County (Oklahoma,Cleveland,Candaian)
Set off by groups of the above
Set off all
Silent test
Saturday Test

The sirens run for 3 mintunes and there is no all clear siren. The sirens are suppose to be set off with any new warning but that doesn't always happen.

In the time that I have worked for the city I have only set them off twice and it has been a while. Any more ???? let me know.

 

[dbestfirefighter]

Here is the way it works for Oklahoma City.......

The only time the sirens can be set off is when there is a warning from the national weather service. There have been times that the tornado is on the ground and being called in by citizens and officers but until the NWS say so it doesn't happen. The sirens are set off @ the EOC (better known as Police Dispatch) (by the supervisor on duty or by another employee). The system is set up so that you can do the following:

Set off by County (Oklahoma,Cleveland,Candaian)
Set off by groups of the above
Set off all
Silent test
Saturday Test

The sirens run for 3 mintunes and there is no all clear siren. The sirens are suppose to be set off with any new warning but that doesn't always happen.

In the time that I have worked for the city I have only set them off twice and it has been a while. Any more ???? let me know.

They also can be set off at another location other than the 911 center.....

 

[rdale]

Our policy is that a tornado has to be confirmed to be in the area by a trained storm spotter. ie. FD, or PD.

That's unfortunate, and quite surprising given your location in the heart of tornado alley! I'd hate to be the people in the path of that touchdown who could have had notice if you sounded when a warning was issued, until waiting for touchdown.

 

[oSutrooper]

They also can be set off at another location other than the 911 center.....

As far as I can recall there are only two places that I can think of. 911 and the old EOC but the old eoc isn't staffed 24 hours a day.

If there is another place then I don't know where it would be. I work down @ 911 and have never heard of any other places then those two.

 

[NeFire242]

Our policy is that a tornado has to be confirmed to be in the area by a trained storm spotter. ie. FD, or PD. I've called in several over the years. Ham operator reports won't set off the sirens, but we will send out spotters to verify.

So I guess it wouldn't pay to even be a RACES member there does it? I mean if you take the same training as the cop, and yet they don't believe you.

 

[dbestfirefighter]

As far as I can recall there are only two places that I can think of. 911 and the old EOC but the old eoc isn't staffed 24 hours a day.

If there is another place then I don't know where it would be. I work down @ 911 and have never heard of any other places then those two.

When a watch is issued the REOC is staffed.