Siren testing begins

On Saturday, July 2, at noon, Hot Springs County Emergency Management and Thermopolis Police Department 911 Center will begin monthly Outdoor Alert Siren tests. These tests will take place the first Saturday each month, at noon.

The tone you will hear this Saturday is called the “Alert” tone. It is a steady siren tone. It is the standard tone used all across the country for alerting for Tornado Warnings or actual Tornadoes. The sirens will sound for 3 minutes.

You will probably not hear these sirens indoors. Outdoor Alert Sirens are just what their name implies. They are intended to alert people involved in outdoor activities to take shelter indoors and get information on the nature of the danger. NOAA All-Hazard Alert radios, HSC CodeRED and cell phone apps are the best ways to get immediate information.

A couple important points however, the siren will only sound if a tornado threatens an area served by that siren. When NWS Riverton issues a Tornado Warning, it is picked up and broadcast by the CodeRED Company. This is an automated voice message and goes out regardless of where Riverton sees a threat. Suppose there is a Tornado Warning for a storm in our county, but 35 miles west of town, headed north. You may not hear a siren or a County CodeRED message.

Messages from Hot Springs County CodeRED will have an actual voice, typically County Emergency Coordinator Bill Gordon. Emergency Management and the 911 Center are in direct contact with NWS at times like this and know the location and direction of threatening storms. When you receive one of these messages be aware it is because there is a severe storm with a tornado warning that threatens you.

Always be aware of the weather around you. Lightning and thunder always mean take shelter. A siren will mean hurry up. Prepare your devices now to hear messages. Register for HSC CodeRED now on the HSC homepage. Figure out now what you will do if the warning comes.

For siren tests or real sirens, please do not call 911. Know what is going on and have your devices set up to inform you.