Outdoor Warning Sirens in Bismarck – what does it mean when they’re sounded? If you answered “tornado warning” – you would be right – most of the time. In addition to the siren tests held the last Friday of the month, the sirens can be sounded to alert those who are outdoors of ANY potential or actual emergency. When the sirens sound, it means ONE thing: get indoors and tune to local media and your NOAA weather radio (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Although you may often hear the term “tornado warning sirens” – the proper term is “outdoor warning sirens” since the purpose is not limited to tornados. The purpose of the twenty-two outdoor warning sirens in Bismarck is to provide an alert to those who are working or playing outdoors and are within range of one of outdoor warning sirens. In some situations, those indoors may hear them depending on proximity. Again, the sirens are an outdoor warning system.
Now is a good time to review your plan for taking shelter during severe weather. Be sure your plan identifies actions to take during a tornado watch rather than waiting until a tornado warning is issued. Once a tornado warning is issued, travel is not advised. During a tornado warning, the general rule is to take shelter in the lowest level and shelter in an interior room with as many walls between you and the outside as possible. This interior room should not have doors and windows. You may view a map of the siren locations here: Siren locations
City staff monitors a select number of sirens each month during the Friday test. If you notice that a siren does NOT sound, please call 222-6727 to report it to Bismarck Emergency Manager, Gary Stockert. For more information about severe summer weather preparedness visit www.bismarck.org/EmergencyManagement