Twin Cities Metro Area Siren Policy
August 14, 1997
Ken Barlow
KARE 11 TV
8811 Olson Memorial Highway
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Dear Mr. Barlow:
It has been a busy summer for severe weather! There have been several weather events that have resulted in
activation of outdoor warning sirens. For the most part, weather warnings issued by the National Weather
Service and public safety agencies together with detailed media coverage of storm events have been effective
in keeping people safe. However, we are concerned about a couple of recent occasions where reporters
covering a storm made statements wondering why sirens were or were not being sounded for a particular county.
County emergency managers, warning point coordinators, and the National Weather Service have met to review
recent severe weather alerts and our siren activation policies. This group affirmed the alerting procedures
currently in place and found that warning points and the National Weather Service appear to be following
them. Everyone agreed it is useful to periodically review this issue, and asked the Warning and
Communications Committee of the Metropolitan Emergency Managers' Association to restate siren activation
policy to the news media.
Outdoor warning sirens are activated by county or city warning points. Most often, this is done at the
recommendation of the National Weather Service. However, counties and cities can and do activate sirens on
their own if field personnel observe dangerous weather conditions occurring within their borders or if they
anticipate such conditions from an approaching storm. When this happens, the alerting jurisdiction will
notify the National Weather Service immediately so the reason for siren activation can be relayed over NOAA
weather radio. During the last major storm, at least three counties are known to have activated sirens in
advance of a National Weather Service warning.
There are two weather related criteria for siren activation: a tornado or funnel cloud sighting; or a severe
thunderstorm with straight line winds in excess of 75 mph or potential thereof (Note: Dakota County activates
sirens for all severe thunderstorm warnings--58 mph and over). While sirens are most often used for warnings
of severe weather, they can also be used to warn of other hazards. An example would be an evacuation order
for a neighborhood affected by a release of hazardous materials.
If you get reports of siren activation and you don't know the reason, we recommend you monitor NOAA Weather
Radio or call the National Weather Service directly.
Sincerely,
Scott A. Williams
Chair, Warning and Communications Committee,
Metropolitan Emergency Managers' Association
Craig Edwards
Meteorologist-In-Charge
National Weather Service, Chanhassen
Metro Emergency Managers Association
WARNING AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
6700 Portland Avenue
Richfield, MN 55423
