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Tornado Sirens
What should I do when I hear the sirens?
When you hear tornado sirens, go inside and tune to local media to get more information.
Why can’t I hear the sirens in my house?
Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching.
How can I get alerts when I’m at work or in my house?
For alerts indoors, every home and business should have a NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards. NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action.
When are sirens tested?
Sirens are tested according to local community policies.
Why don’t the outdoor warning sirens sound an all-clear signal?
People should be indoors and monitoring local media for updates on the storm.
Will the sirens warn me of every dangerous storm?
The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather. Nothing can replace common sense. If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather Radio, and local media.
Who activates the sirens?
Sirens are typically activated by city or county officials, usually a police or fire department or emergency management personnel. Check with your city or county officials to learn more.
Weather Aware
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are short emergency messages from authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial public alerting authorities that can be broadcast from cell towers to any WEA‐enabled mobile device in a locally targeted area. WEAs can be sent by state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the President of the United States.
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WEAs look like text messages but are designed to get your attention with a unique sound and vibration repeated twice.
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WEAs are no more than 360 characters and include the type and time of the alert, any action you should take and the agency issuing the alert.
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WEAs are not affected by network congestion and will not disrupt texts, calls or data sessions that are in progress.
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You are not charged for receiving WEAs and there is no need to subscribe.
Severe Weather Reminders
Severe Weather can happen anytime and anywhere. Severe weather can produce hazardous conditions; which include thunderstorms, tornadoes, large hail, flooding and flash flooding, and winter storms. In 2017, Missourians witnessed one of the most deadly and destructive powers of both tornadoes and flash flooding. Preparing for severe weather is critical to protecting yourself and your family during dangerous storms.
Understand the types of hazardous weather:
Helpful Resources
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Obtain an NOAA Weather Radio
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Learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts
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Build an Emergency Kit and keep supplies up-to-date
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Have Car Emergency Kit ready
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Create a communications plan with loved ones
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PrepareMetroKC
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United Way 211 (myresourcedirectory.com)
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Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC)
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Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC)
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Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee (RHSCC)
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Kansas City Regional Fusion Center
Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) -
American Red Cross
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The Salvation Army
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
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National Weather Service (Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, Mo. location)
