Learn the Emergency Warning Siren System
Tulsa has an excellent emergency siren warning system consisting
of more than 80 sirens throughout the city, each audible for up to
a mile. We have learned that being prepared when disaster strikes
can help save lives and property, prevent injury and decrease
recovery costs.
Part of being prepared for emergencies is to know what the
City's warning sirens mean. Understanding the three siren tones can
help you take the right action to protect yourself and those around
you. The sirens use tones that warn citizens about tornadoes,
military attacks and chemical releases into the atmosphere.
There is an additional warning that is unique to this community.
It is a flood warning tone which is not a part of the federal
guidelines for siren warning systems.
Three Types of Sounds
First is the three-minute "steady" tone.
It warns of impending tornadoes and of
chemical releases into the atmosphere. It is a
one-note tone. The only change in sound during the three-minute
period may be an increase or decrease in volume that is caused by a
change in wind direction or velocity. (Listen)
Second is the three-minute "wavering" tone -
similar to the "wailing" sound made by many police and fire
vehicles on emergency missions. That tone is used only to warn of
nuclear attacks. (Listen)
Third is the three-minute "high-low" tone -
like that used by many European ambulances and police vehicles and
occasionally by emergency vehicles in this country. It warns of
impending flooding. (Listen)
Upon hearing either the "steady" or "wavering" sirens, citizens
should seek shelter and tune in to local broadcast outlets for
additional information. Upon hearing the high-low flood warning,
citizens should avoid low-lying areas or any areas where flooding
is likely to occur, and access local media for further information.
When flood warnings are in effect, motorists should drive with
caution and avoid driving in areas where water obscures road
boundaries. They should also avoid driving through water that is
flowing across roads.
Testing
Tulsa's warning sirens are audibly tested each Wednesday at noon,
weather permitting, as well as being silently tested daily.
Occasionally, technicians may test individual sirens at random
times. Tests are typically one minute in length. Actual warnings
are three-minute signals.
