Sirens/Outdoor Warning System
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Outdoor Warning System
When the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning or a Severe Thunderstorm with damaging winds at or greater than 70 mph for Detroit, the sirens are activated. Other less likely emergency situations may also cause the activation of the sirens.
The City of Detroit has 56 outdoor warning sirens throughout the city, covering each of the city’s 7 districts.
The activation of the sirens indicates that a tornado has been sighted or strongly indicated on radar and/or a severe thunderstorm with 70 mph winds or greater is in the area. Seek shelter immediately and listen to radio or television for more information, if it is safe to do so. Do not call police, fire departments or news media. Residents should seek shelter in an area in the basement or a small interior room on the lowest level away from windows. Residents are asked to identify the area to seek shelter in advance so they can respond quickly if a tornado warning is ever issued.
The sirens are designed to alert citizens who are outside, but citizens inside buildings may hear the siren if they are close to the siren location.
Monthly Siren Test
Monthly tests of the sirens in Detroit are held the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. Again, if you hear a siren outside of the monthly test time, tune in to a local television or radio station for any emergency alerts.