EXPLAINER: How Douglas County’s siren system really works

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Tornado sirens have become a familiar sound to the Omaha area this spring, playing an important role in keeping people aware during severe weather.

Unlike other areas in the country, in Douglas County, sirens are set off every time there’s an active warning anywhere in the county, regardless of if you’re located within the specific current warning area.

“When you see those warnings on television, you’ll see a red polygon area that shows the risk area. That’s not necessarily new technology, but the siren activation technology has not quite kept pace with that,” said Whitney Shipley, Assistant Director, Douglas County Emergency Management. “Douglas County is a fairly small county, so a slight deviation in the warning area can impact a lot of people shortly without a lot of notice. So because it’s a small county, it makes sense for us to continue to sound the sirens in that way,” said Shipley.

In addition to be activated when there’s a tornado warning, sirens also sound when there are sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour.

“Each time they sound, they sound for three minutes. Full sounding, where they sound and rotate for three minutes. But then it’s possible that people will hear multiple soundings if whatever that initial warning was becomes then a confirmed tornado on the ground causing damage,” said Shipley.

Tornado sirens are only meant for those outdoors, which is why it’s so crucial to have multiple ways to get alerts.

“Having weather apps that allow you to get that wireless signal but realize that that too is subject to failure and then of course the sirens, and they’re subject to mechanical challenges. So using a layered approach where you don’t just rely on the sirens but also a weather radio and any of the alerts that are issued from multiple sources to ensure that you receive that signal regardless,” said Shipley.

Taking the appropriate action steps when you get these alerts is just as important– moving to the safest place possible and having a way to continue to get updates during severe weather.

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