 Chief Mark Miller of the Lincoln Fire Department answered
questions about outdoor weather sirens.(Copy)
Question: How are the Outdoor Weather
Sirens supposed to work?
Answer:
The National Weather Service advises all people that the outdoor
weather sirens are just that: they warn occupants outside of
approaching severe weather. With today's more modern and efficient
homes that are sealed well for energy purposes, the siren sounds can
be drowned out by television, radios, kids playing, appliances
running, etc. The Lincoln Fire Department recommends that all
residents purchase home weather alert radios that will activate
automatically when severe weather enters our county. Weather radios
are just as important in your homes as smoke detectors and carbon
monoxide detectors.
Question: When are sirens tested?
Answer:
Sirens are tested according to local or state policies. In Lincoln
and Logan County, the monthly testing is conducted on the first
Tuesday of each month at 10:00 A.M.
Question: Will the sirens warn me of
every dangerous storm?
Answer:
The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the
information available to protect yourself and your family from
threatening weather. Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is
approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one
part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather
Radios, and local media.
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Question: Why are the outdoor warning
sirens sometimes sounded for hail and wind?
Answer:
When thunderstorm winds exceed 70 mph, trees can be uprooted or
snapped. Hail that is golf ball-sized or larger can break windows.
Both of these things pose a direct risk to life if people are caught
outdoors. An increasing number of communities (including Lincoln)
are incorporating these threats into their outdoor warning siren
policies.
[Text copied from file received]
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