Outdoor Warning
Sirens
Many communities have installed outdoor warning siren systems to
provide additional warning of impending danger. As their name implies, these
sirens are intended to be heard outside. The system is not designed or
engineered to be heard inside every building in the coverage area.
If you are outside when the sirens sound, seek shelter
immediately. DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 OR ANY OTHER EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER
UNLESS YOU HAVE EMERGENCY INFORMATION TO REPORT (for example, the sighting of a
funnel cloud or other emergency). If there is not time to move to shelter, try to
get into a low lying area, such as a ditch. Lay face down and cover your head with
your hands. Be alert to rising water in ditches and low lying areas as the storm
passes over. DO NOT stand under trees if at all possible. If
a grove of trees is your only shelter, try to position yourself under the shorter
trees. This will provide you with the least likelihood of being struck by
lightning. However, a grove of trees should be your LAST choice for
shelter.
You can often be better prepared for severe weather by simply
listening to the forecast before you leave home. As we discussed elsewhere, every
home should be equipped with a NOAA Weather Radio. When they're not dispensing watch
and warning information, these valuable tools will provide you with detailed forecast
information. In addition, you can often obtain the forecast from area radio and
television stations. Detailed forecasts are available on the Internet from a number
of sites such as The Weather Channel. |
