OK! Really, now I know I sound like an uneducated immature person right now but WHY would there be sirens during a blizzard? In my world sirens = tornado and daddy is not answering the phone so I can not ask him ... there are no emergency broadcasts going on so I GOT NO FRIGGIN CLUE!!! Please help ease my mind.
Ok, for now I will run with that ... I have always been raised with if there are other weather warnings they are not tested so as to avoid THIS moment right now.
Sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of the month. Today is Tue and Feb 1st - it's just that it coincides with the approaching bad weather.
In our area, sirens are tested every Tuesday at 10:00. Maybe that's why they're going off????
When are your sirens tested? In my area in MN, its the first Wed of each month at 1pm. I assume that is different all over the country.
If it were something more, there would be messages scrolling across your local channels as well. Relax and enjoy the pretty snowfall with your coffee and oatmeal. Bake some cookies or banana bread...its all good!
Yes it is the first day of the month at 10:00 they are all tested. Do not panic.
We have the sirens tested the first Tuesday of the month at 10am in IL...Don't worry!!
They are probably testing them. Calm down it's just snow :) it's snowing like mad here too. If you are that worried call your local pd's nonemergency number and ask them then you will know or certain what the siren was all about.
Some towns also use them to call for the volunteer fireman and such.
And as everyone else has posted they test them weekly in our area as well.
:o) I remember living in Illinois and the tornado sirens. I actually miss them, because here we have no warning.
So let me guess, they went off at 10:00 this morning? Today is Tuesday, test time.
Look in your phone book or online. All local radio stations, local TV stations, city offices, and the department of public safety will all be in there. Call them until you are satisfied about the answer. These storms started as thunderstorms that would have been severe had they been warmer in Texas. They had thunder snow in OKC. It sounded just like a thunderstorm. I would want to know for sure.
It's the monthly test. Nothing to worry
I think this is a national thing. Last night they were testing the tv system too.
It could also be that they are calling in the volunteers. My grandma's town has a siren that can be heard throughout the whole town and then some. Its how they call the volunteers to report.
If the sirens continue and you are still concerned, feel free to call the non-emergency (not 911) phone # for the police or the fire dept. and they can let you know if anything important is going on.
M.
EDIT: Hey Illinois! I may have spoke too soon. Looks like you are gonna be hardest hit by this storm...Something like 2 feet? So the sirens may be warning you to stay put and locate your flashlights, candles, and blankets in case you lose power (heat). Course, we have blizzard here in MN and have never heard the sirens turned on for them.
It is the first Wednesday of the month. The sirens always sound on that day just to test to make sure they are still working. Relax = )
I know this answer is kinda late, but it's just the testing of the emergency management service. It's the first Tuesday of the month and sirens are tested and there will be notifications on tv, but it will say it's a test. My daughter is home sick from school and it freaked her out too!
Turn on your TV or radio & watch the news to know what to expect
just like bobbi said.. its the first tuesday of the month.. they always test them. I live in the city and heard them too and go freaked but then remembered its feb 1
