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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:17:33 PM EST
[#1]
They're only an annoyance if you've never had one before. You should be able to deal with a 20-second test.
Your local EMA certainly has the money for them. Not everyone has a mobile phone. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:17:52 PM EST
[#2]
Now with poll.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:17:55 PM EST
[#3]
Grew up with them in n Texas now South of Houston don’t have them though infrequent and small I’ve almost take. A hit in Kemah and League city from Small ones. My business partner has a video of one just N of us that made the news of a large one tearing through one of our properties and there was no Tornado siren. It seems a cheap system and never was a problem growing up.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:20:01 PM EST
[#4]
If your area doesn't already have one, it is probably not worth bothering with.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:21:03 PM EST
[#5]
I thought civil defense sirens are universal. Everywhere I’ve lived in PA had them. Only ever heard them used to summon volunteer fire fighters though.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:21:38 PM EST
[#6]
Don't currently live near them, but have in the past.
Take it or leave it doesn't matter to me. Cell phone trumps them. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:22:45 PM EST
[#7]
Is that different from the 6pm/fire/air raid klaxon sirens?
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:23:29 PM EST
[#8]
I like mine. It's nice to have.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:25:11 PM EST
[#9]
They are overused in my area. It can mean one of a dozen things.
tornado lightning strong wind school on lockdown child predator on the loose a test etc. boy who cried wolf. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:27:04 PM EST
[#10]
Sirens are only as good as the people running and the NWS forecasters in the area. In my area they are completely worthless. Earlier this year they declared a tornado warning for part of my county but not the area I live in based on what they thought was a brief moment of radar detected rotation 5 counties away. The idiots in my town sounded the siren for 30 minutes in the middle of the night even though we were outside of the warning zone. Then the NWS even issued a map showing a tornado track for 4 counties. The county officials in the county where the alleged rotation was looked for 2 days and found no evidence of damage. Then the NWS deleted most of the tornado track from their audit maps, as if it never happened.
TLDR, idiots at NWS got scared and declared a tornado that didn't exist, my city got scared and sounded sirens for 30 minutes even though we were outside the warning zone for the non-existent tornado. If you have good local people then they would be helpful. First map shows what they claimed was a moment of a radar detected tornado and the warning zone they issued in the blue circle.  Their follow up map removes the tornado path except for the spot they claim they radar detected rotation. I live 4 counties away, outside of the warning zone, the our sirens went off for 30 minutes in the middle of the night.  |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:27:30 PM EST
[#11]
Never leave the safety of the basement.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:27:34 PM EST
[#12]
Let's me know it's almost lunch time on Fridays.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:27:34 PM EST
[#13]
Good
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:29:08 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Let's me know it's almost lunch time on Fridays. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:29:48 PM EST
[#15]
Never heard one. But lived through a couple of tornadoes.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:30:51 PM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They are overused in my area. It can mean one of a dozen things. ... boy who cried wolf. Lol...the Army accidentally set off the chemical attack siren at K2 while they were setting up the command post, and couldn't figure out how to turn it back off. I'd just come off shift, had been flying/working for 30+ hours. Zipped my sleeping bag over my head and went to sleep. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:31:00 PM EST
[#17]
Loved them when I lived in KC. Was the signal to get outside and look for that F5!
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:34:03 PM EST
[#18]
Im a bit obsessed with tornado sirens! Tell them to get an American Signal T-128. Its 8-port design produces a nice low tone that better penetrates walls and humidity. Plus they look cool!
 In all seriousness, early warning is important. Every municipality around here has them, we havent had a tornado come through since ive been alive. Quite a few visible funnel clouds, but no touchdowns. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:39:30 PM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Lol...the Army accidentally set off the chemical attack siren at K2 while they were setting up the command post, and couldn't figure out how to turn it back off. I'd just come off shift, had been flying/working for 30+ hours. Zipped my sleeping bag over my head and went to sleep. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:43:11 PM EST
[#20]
Quoted: They are overused in my area. It can mean one of a dozen things. tornado lightning strong wind school on lockdown child predator on the loose a test etc. boy who cried wolf. Quoted: Sirens are only as good as the people running and the NWS forecasters in the area. In my area they are completely worthless. Earlier this year they declared a tornado warning for part of my county but not the area I live in based on what they thought was a brief moment of radar detected rotation 5 counties away. The idiots in my town sounded the siren for 30 minutes in the middle of the night even though we were outside of the warning zone. Then the NWS even issued a map showing a tornado track for 4 counties. The county officials in the county where the alleged rotation was looked for 2 days and found no evidence of damage. Then the NWS deleted most of the tornado track from their audit maps, as if it never happened. TLDR, idiots at NWS got scared and declared a tornado that didn't exist, my city got scared and sounded sirens for 30 minutes even though we were outside the warning zone for the non-existent tornado. If you have good local people then they would be helpful. First map shows what they claimed was a moment of a radar detected tornado and the warning zone they issued in the blue circle. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/680/initial_survey_JPG-2323747.jpg Their follow up map removes the tornado path except for the spot they claim they radar detected rotation. I live 4 counties away, outside of the warning zone, the our sirens went off for 30 minutes in the middle of the night. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/680/updated_survey_JPG-2323746.jpg This is what I'm afraid will happen. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:49:33 PM EST
[#21]
The one a mile down the road can only be heard if the windows are open or if everything is turned off in the house. Definitely won't wake me up.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:50:56 PM EST
[#22]
Phased out in our area and signaling through cell phones now.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:50:58 PM EST
[#23]
They only sound the sirens here during tests. The scary part is that I can barely hear them when I'm inside, so I guess I'm screwed either way.
 I'd rather have them than not though. Don't find it annoying at all. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:54:33 PM EST
[#24]
I live in bfe so I can't hear them at home.
At work I've heard them dozens of times and all the office women lose their shit then nothing happens. I've been perfectly safe so far. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:55:26 PM EST
[#25]
They're evidently useless to some. When we had a warning a few days ago, people were posting on NextDoor and the local Facebook group asking why the sirens were going off.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:57:30 PM EST
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They're only an annoyance if you've never had one before. You should be able to deal with a 20-second test. Your local EMA certainly has the money for them. Not everyone has a mobile phone. It's a little flashbacky for some. But yeah, agree. Still hate it. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:59:01 PM EST
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They're evidently useless to some. When we had a warning a few days ago, people were posting on NextDoor and the local Facebook group asking why the sirens were going off. 
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:59:14 PM EST
[#28]
There aren't any where I live. It would just be annoying anyway.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 4:59:25 PM EST
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Never leave the safety of the basement. In Kansas they mean fo outside with your beer and look at the sky. Mostly because the counties are too cheap to buy the equipment to only turn them on where the tornados are. And Kansas has pretty small counties. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:03:52 PM EST
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is what I'm afraid will happen. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Sirens are only as good as the people running and the NWS forecasters in the area. In my area they are completely worthless. Earlier this year they declared a tornado warning for part of my county but not the area I live in based on what they thought was a brief moment of radar detected rotation 5 counties away. The idiots in my town sounded the siren for 30 minutes in the middle of the night even though we were outside of the warning zone. Then the NWS even issued a map showing a tornado track for 4 counties. The county officials in the county where the alleged rotation was looked for 2 days and found no evidence of damage. Then the NWS deleted most of the tornado track from their audit maps, as if it never happened. TLDR, idiots at NWS got scared and declared a tornado that didn't exist, my city got scared and sounded sirens for 30 minutes even though we were outside the warning zone for the non-existent tornado. If you have good local people then they would be helpful. First map shows what they claimed was a moment of a radar detected tornado and the warning zone they issued in the blue circle. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/680/initial_survey_JPG-2323747.jpg Their follow up map removes the tornado path except for the spot they claim they radar detected rotation. I live 4 counties away, outside of the warning zone, the our sirens went off for 30 minutes in the middle of the night. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/680/updated_survey_JPG-2323746.jpg This is what I'm afraid will happen. They still serve a purpose but that purpose is go outside and look to see what the weather is really doing. The old days of sirens meaning a verified tornado was in your immediate area are long gone. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:07:16 PM EST
[#31]
I used to appreciate them. Now my city has started using them for wind and lightning warnings. Dumb move.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:16:46 PM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Please tell me you convinced the neighbors that they had 15 minutes to make peace with god before the MIRV impacts. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: They're evidently useless to some. When we had a warning a few days ago, people were posting on NextDoor and the local Facebook group asking why the sirens were going off. Someone beat me at that attempt. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:17:02 PM EST
[#33]
I lived in a small town back in the day and was glad we had them.
Yes it was before cell phones. Still, when it went off you knew it meant you needed to find someplace to hunker down ASAP because even a small tornado is no joke. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:29:08 PM EST
[#34]
Good if your outside or live under one. Nearest one is 1/2 of a mile away on a hill and we cannot hear it inside the house. We live in the middle of tornado alley so we pay attention to the weather!
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:30:42 PM EST
[#35]
Tornado sirens are just a tool, and like any tool used correctly and well they are great, used improperly and poorly they suck.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:36:39 PM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Loved them when I lived in KC. Was the signal to get outside and look for that F5! Some much this! All the Darwin Award Candidates around here go outside to look for the tornado when the siren sounds. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:36:40 PM EST
[#37]
If you're in Round Rock, Georgetown has some sirens. Haven't heard theirs used except for tests, but they've got them. No idea if they went off across the whole city or not when that storm came through.
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:37:11 PM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In Kansas they mean fo outside with your beer and look at the sky. Mostly because the counties are too cheap to buy the equipment to only turn them on where the tornados are. And Kansas has pretty small counties. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Never leave the safety of the basement. In Kansas they mean fo outside with your beer and look at the sky. Mostly because the counties are too cheap to buy the equipment to only turn them on where the tornados are. And Kansas has pretty small counties. When the sky turns green, and the air is still, the sirens will blare, and no one will care, and at the sky we will stare. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:40:46 PM EST
[#39]
I'm old enough to remember when they were intended to warn of Russian nuclear attack, with tornadoes as a secondary purpose.
Growing up just outside of Pantex in Amarillo, TX...I ALWAYS wanted to see dark clouds and big lightning when the sirens went off! |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:43:31 PM EST
[#40]
At my old house we could clearly hear the siren every Wednesday at noon. Then they put one directly across the street you couldn't even talk over the fucking thing, dog hated it. We moved
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:44:57 PM EST
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Phased out in our area and signaling through cell phones now. That's the way nuke sirens are going too. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:46:00 PM EST
[#42]
I remember the first time hearing one when I stayed in Illinois. Being from California I was like DAFAQ IS THAT?! I go out side and look around; sky was cloudy and wind still blowing.. could hear it get loud then fade away (leaning later it was from it spinning). Got to work that night and was like Hey guys WTF was that loud noise I heard?! The look on my co workers faces all said the same thing..
Fucking Californian. Then someone explained what a tornado siren was! LOL I had only heard about them on TV!  I could picture, in todays technology, cell phones are most likely fasters and better wide spread. Hell look at the alerts you get from Amber Alerts and whatnot or the amount of alerts that went off on my phone while in Texas... HELL they are perfecting earthquake early warning apps etc. I would further guess, those type of siren systems work WELL in places that get fucked by Tsunami since they have much more limited technology and siren is still faster. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:47:57 PM EST
[#43]
Tornado sirens would be controlled by your county EM. NWS will send out Warning polygons for tornadoes, and it's up to the county how to act on that information. Some counties will activate all the sirens in the county, other counties will only activate the sirens within that Warning polygon.
My county will only activate the sirens with the bounds of the Warning polygon. If you hear the sirens, there is a tornado, and you are in the path +/- uncertainty margins. I've only heard the sirens sound once, and that was over a phone call. Pretty terrifying to hear that. Nothing I could do, and that there was nothing I could do made no difference. I just about passed out. Sirens are the real deal. Don't blow them off. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:49:22 PM EST
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: They are overused in my area. It can mean one of a dozen things. tornado lightning strong wind school on lockdown child predator on the loose a test etc. boy who cried wolf. i dont know. Those all seem pretty damn important |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:50:46 PM EST
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Good if your outside or live under one. Nearest one is 1/2 of a mile away on a hill and we cannot hear it inside the house. We live in the middle of tornado alley so we pay attention to the weather! T-135 is what you seek! 
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:52:23 PM EST
[#46]
I took a direct hit almost two years ago from a large F3, 150 mph winds. I got a warning on my phone and was watching the weather & sky. From the time I realized I was in for some shit until I was in said shit was less than a minute. A warning does no good unless you pay attention to it. I get a warning on my phone now, I'm getting within 20' of where I'll ride it out whether it shows up or not
I live several miles from a small town so may not have heard one if we had it. I'm fine with a warning on my phone |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:54:27 PM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I used to appreciate them. Now my city has started using them for wind and lightning warnings. Dumb move. My hometown decided to do the Air Raid signal for tornadic activity. No idea why, guess the got bored with the Alert signal. Shoulda went High/Low (which was reserved for fire) just to fuck with people. A Federal Signal 3t22 would be an excellent choice. They sound wicked! 
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Posted: 3/23/2022 5:57:12 PM EST
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is what I'm afraid will happen. without "eyes on the prize", or seeing the aftermath, all you're doing is guessing at what you see on radar. would you rather be told, and nothing happens, or would you rather be told nothing, and then get smited? you'll never make everyone happy, so, you want excessive noise, or no warning at all? |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 6:05:34 PM EST
[#49]
If NWS is issuing a Tornado Warning, look, there's a tornado there. It may not be on the ground. It may not be very strong. But, both of those things can change in the course of 5 minutes.
The NWS issues a very specific set of lat/lon coordinates for the projected path and margins. |
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Posted: 3/23/2022 6:05:55 PM EST
[#50]
Had two on the same evening come through. The siren is by my house but my house is well insulated so it isn’t that loud inside the house. I had the NOAA weather radio app on and it woke me the hell up about 4 minutes before. I had to drag one of the dogs out of the bed and push her into the crawlspace under the stairs.
Best friends house Sustained damage. Lost all their old trees. Barn (relatively good shape) collapsed. Power knocked out from main. Covered parking outside destroyed. |
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