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Outdoor Warning Sirens

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

  1. What does it mean when I hear the outdoor warning sirens?
    The weather warning sirens activate when there is a reported funnel cloud or tornado reported in your area. This can be from the National Weather Service or a trained weather spotter.
  2. What should I do if I hear the outdoor warning sirens?
    When the sirens are heard, go indoors and tune to local media to get more information.
  3. Why can’t I hear the outdoor warning sirens in my house?
    The sirens are an outdoor warning system designed to alert those who are outside.
  4. When are the outdoor warning sirens tested?
    The sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 10am unless there is a chance of severe weather in the area.
  5. Why don’t the outdoor warning sirens sound an all-clear signal?
    Individuals should be indoors monitoring local media for updates on the storm.
  6. How are the outdoor warning sirens activated?
    Upon issuance of a tornado warning from the National Weather Service, any siren located within the issued warning area will automatically activate. Sirens can also be manually activated at the Joliet Communications Center.
  7. How can I get alerts when at work or in my house?
    For indoor alerts, every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio. A NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action.
  8. More Questions?
    Contact the Joliet Emergency Management Agency at jolukancic@joliet.gov