Outdoor Warning Sirens

Sirens are used to promote situational awareness across Linn County. When you hear the outdoor warning sirens, it means that a hazardous situation that impacts life safety is occurring or will occur shortly. 

2. What should I do when I hear the outdoor warning sirens?

When the sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media and monitor your emergency alerts and notifications for more information. 

3.  Why can’t I hear the outdoor warning sirens in my house?

Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching. They are not intended to be heard indoors. 

4.  How can I get alerts when I’m at work or in my house?

It is important to have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and warnings. It is suggested that all Linn County residents register for Alert Iowa to receive alerts from both Linn County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. It is also important that every home and business have a NOAA Weather Radio which provides an alerting tone and detailed information for weather warnings and watches. 

5.  When are outdoor warning sirens tested?

Outdoor warning sirens are tested the first Wednesday of each month at 8:45 a.m. If there is a threat of severe weather on the day of the siren test, no test will occur. Outdoor warning siren tests will resume on the next scheduled monthly date.

6.  Why don’t the outdoor warning sirens sound an all-clear signal?

All-clear signals are not sounded in order to avoid confusion. All siren activations indicate a new hazard such as a severe weather warning. 

7.  Why are the outdoor warning sirens sometimes sounded for hail and wind?

When thunderstorm winds exceed 70 mph, trees can be uprooted or snapped. Hail that is golf ball sized or larger can break windows. Both of these things pose a direct risk to life if people are caught outdoors. Our protocol for siren activation is confirmed winds over 70 mph and hail that is golf ball sized or larger.   

8.  Will the outdoor warning sirens warn me of every dangerous storm?

Weather can be unpredictable. 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, Alert Iowa, and local media.

9.  Who activates the outdoor warning sirens?

Sirens are activated by multiple entities in Linn County including governments, public safety and emergency management officials.