West Memphis residents caught off guard by emergency sirens

What to do and what to know about severe weather alert system

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

Residents of West Memphis were left puzzled and concerned Saturday evening when the city's Outdoor Warning Sirens blared at 6 p.m.,a time outside of the normal weekly test. Many took to social media to express confusion, wondering what the sirens actually mean when they signal an actual emergency.

West Memphis Emergency Management Director De-Wayne Rose addressed the concerns, reassuring the public that the sirens are just one tool in the city's emergency response system and should never be relied on as the sole source of information. 'When these sirens go off, they are meant to alert people who are outdoors about an imminent threat. They are not designed to be heard inside homes, and they won’t wake you up in the middle of the night.,' he explained.

The six sirens geographically located across West Memphis serve as a warning system for residents who are outside during an emergency. While many people associate them with tornado warnings, they can also be activated for other types of dangerous sitations.

When activated for an emergency, the sirens will sound a steady tone for three minutes.

If you hear the sirens outside of the weekly test which is held every Saturday at noon, weather permitting, you should immediately seek shelter and check reliable news sources such as weather apps, TV, or radio for details about the threat.

Rose urged residents not to call 911 or emergency services just to ask why the sirens are going off. 'Our priority during these situations is responding to actual emergencies. If you’re not sure what’s happening, turn to your phone, TV, or weather radio for updates.'

Many residents assume they should be able to hear the sirens from inside their homes, but that is not the case. The sirens have a maximum audible range of about 1 to 1.5 miles on a clear day.

However, trees, buildings, rain, windd, and other background noise can significantly impact how well they are

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heard.

'We hear complaints from people saying they didn't hear the sirens,, but if you''re inside, you may not hear them at all especially with a TV on or during a loud storm,' Rose explained. 'That's why we always encourage multiple ways of getting alerts.'

If you hear the sirens and severe weather is in the area, take the following actions:

• If you are outside, seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building. If no shelter is available, find a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine and cover your head and neck.

• If you are in a mobile home or vehicle, do not attempt to outrun a tornado. Abandon the vehicle or mobile home and lie flat in a ditch, covering your head with your hands or clothing.

• If you are indoors,, rely on weather alerts from a NOAA weather radio, smrtphone app, or television broadcast to get details about the threat.

Occasionally, sirens may sound on clear, sunny days when maintenance is being performed. The Emergency Managment Office will usually post on social media when this happens to prevent unnecessary concern.

'As much as we want our sirens in working order, we hope they are something you never have to depend on,' Rose said. 'But if you hear them outside of normal testing hours, take them seriously and get to safety.'