Severe Weather and Outdoor Warning Sirens

2 DUPAGE COUNTY OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS  Emergency Siren Sound  Siren Activation  Siren Testing

EMERGENCY SIREN SOUND  3 – 5 minute steady tone  It’s one tool used to warn of severe weather  You might not hear them if indoors 3

4 SIRENS ARE ACTIVATED WHEN  Confirmed sighting of a tornado, headed for the community, by a trained weather spotter  National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for the community.  Reports of significant storm damage secondary to life-threatening winds.

5 SIREN TESTING  Siren Testing 1 st Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. 1 st Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m.

6 W EATHER E MERGENCY S IRENS  Severe Thunderstorm Watch vs. Warning  Tornado Watch vs. Warning  What Should I Do When Siren Sounds?  Is There an “ALL CLEAR?”  Seek Shelter – Seek Information

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS Watch vs. Warning  Severe Thunderstorm Watch : Conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms.  Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Indicates an immediate danger to those in the path of the storm. 7

S EVERE T HUNDERSTORMS What You Should Do  Seek Safe Shelter  Seek Safe Shelter  Monitor an all-hazards/NOAA weather radio and local forecast  Know the Dangers All thunderstorms are dangerous All thunderstorms are dangerous Dangers include lightning, tornadoes, strong winds, hail, and flash flooding Dangers include lightning, tornadoes, strong winds, hail, and flash flooding 8

9 TORNADO WATCH VS. WARNING  Tornado Watch: Conditions are right for a tornado to develop.  Tornado Warning: a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take cover immediately!! Take cover immediately!!

Pay Attention to the Weather!  Watch the sky Dark or greenish sky Dark or greenish sky Dark, low-lying clouds, especially if rotating Dark, low-lying clouds, especially if rotating Large hail Large hail Loud roar like a freight train Loud roar like a freight train 10 If you see any of these -Take shelter!

11 When the Sirens Sound  Seek Shelter Immediately  Do NOT call 911 for information 911 lines must remain open so police, EMS, and fire departments can respond where needed. 911 lines must remain open so police, EMS, and fire departments can respond where needed. Only call 911 if you have an emergency to report. Only call 911 if you have an emergency to report.

12 SEEK SHELTER  Inside: Go to basement or lowest building level. Go to basement or lowest building level. Stay close to the most interior wall & away from windows. Stay close to the most interior wall & away from windows.  Outside or in a vehicle or mobile home: Go to the lowest floor of the nearest sturdy building. Go to the lowest floor of the nearest sturdy building. If you’re not close to a building, lie flat in a ditch or depression & cover your head. If you’re not close to a building, lie flat in a ditch or depression & cover your head. Watch out for flying debris. Watch out for flying debris.

13 IS THERE AN ALL CLEAR?  There is NO All Clear!  The emergency is NOT over when the sirens stop.  Multiple siren activations means imminent, life-threatening impact.

14 SEEK INFORMATION  Once you are in a safe place, turn on TV, local radio, or an all-hazards/NOAA weather radio.  It is not safe to leave shelter until the warning expires.  Be prepared in case another warning is issued.

15 Summary  Sirens are one tool to alert the public  Take personal responsibility Watch the sky. Watch the sky. GO inside when you hear sirens. GO inside when you hear sirens. Get an all-hazards/NOAA weather radio for emergency updates. Get an all-hazards/NOAA weather radio for emergency updates. Don’t call 911 unless you have an emergency to report Don’t call 911 unless you have an emergency to report  Be prepared - have a plan Know where to take shelter. Know where to take shelter. Keep an emergency kit in your shelter area. Keep an emergency kit in your shelter area.

16 More Information  National Weather Service  DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management  Ready Illinois  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)