The sirens may not be heard inside a building or in noisy areas.
The Outdoor Warning system is meant to warn residents who are outside only.
The City of Irving has 26 strategically placed outdoor warning sirens throughout Irving. The sirens are designed to alert individuals who are outside to immediately seek shelter indoors and tune in to local media for more information.
When the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a tornado warning for an area, the warning will include boundaries spanning a small, localized area. The City of Irving’s outdoor sirens are sectioned into four zones, as shown below. Immediately following the NWS tornado warning announcement, if a zone’s siren is located within the NWS warning boundary, then all sirens in that zone will sound.
When activated, the Outdoor Warning sirens will rotate 360 degrees while sounding a steady tone for three minutes. It may be continuously sounded until the danger has passed. There is no all-clear message.
When you hear the Outdoor Warning System sound, you should immediately go inside and tune into the local news on radio or television for additional information.
The Outdoor Warning System is activated in the following situations:
The National Weather Service will issue alerts based on the weather moving through the area. Sound judgment can be made regarding appropriate actions to take.
To receive emergency notifications indoors, the Office of Emergency Management recommends the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) All Hazards and Weather Alert Radio with the Specific Area Message Encoding feature.
The NOAA radio provides up-to-date information on all types of emergencies, 24 hours a day. They are available at many local retailers, starting at $20.
Why can't I hear a siren inside my home?
The Outdoor Warning Sirens are for warning people outside only. They are meant to signal for people to go inside and get additional information.
While some individuals with homes close to a siren may be able to hear them indoors, that is not the purpose of the warning device.
If there is inclement weather in your area, tune in to local news, weather or radio channels.
What should I do when I hear the sirens?
The Outdoor Warning Sirens are meant to warn people who are outside when a severe weather emergency is occurring. If you hear the sirens while outside, immediately seek shelter indoors and tune in to a local news, weather or radio broadcast for more information.
Once inside, go to an interior room with no windows on the lowest floor of the building. If you have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio, keep it with you so you can listen for the weather watches and warnings for your area.
It is important to pre-plan and decide on meeting locations with family, friends or co-workers when creating an emergency plan.
When are the outdoor warning sirens used?
Irving has 26 outdoor warning sirens strategically located throughout the city. In accordance with the regional guidelines, the Outdoor Warning Sirens could sound during the following situations:
Does the City of Irving have public storm shelters?
The city does not have public storm shelters.
Once a weather warning has been issued, it is important for individuals to immediately seek shelter inside a sturdy structure, moving to the most interior area, preferably with no windows.
It is not safe for individuals to be out in the storm once a warning has been issued.
What is the difference between a watch and a warning?
A watch means that all of the ingredients for a severe weather event are present in the area.
Actions to take once the watch has been issued:
A warning means that all of the ingredients for a severe weather event are present and now there is activity occurring in the area.
Actions to take once the warning has been issued:
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