What do outside sirens actually mean?
Most of the time, the sirens are sound for a Tornado Warning, but there are other scenarios in which they can be sound as well.
Ryan Nicholls, Emergency Manager of Greene County, states some reasons. "We have in the past activated the sirens - it was a threat to public safety". One example was this past June, when a severe thunderstorm brought 70 mile an hour winds during the evening commute. It wasn't a tornado, but the strong winds did cause plenty of damage.
Other locations across the Ozarks have their own criteria for sounding sirens. It's up to your county and city when and how they decide to sound the sirens.
The sirens are not the only way to be warned of impending weather. Mr. Nicholls suggests buying a weather radio as a sure way to stay safe during severe weather.
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Office of Emergency Management
Storm Sirens - Includes interactive map
