Warning Sirens

A steady 3-minute signal is referred to as the ALERT signal.  This signal is used when there is an emergency that the public needs to be alerted to.  This signal is essentially telling the public to turn on local television or radio to get emergency instructions.  While this signal is most often associated with tornado warnings, it can be used for other emergencies such as evacuations.  A 3-minute sequence of wailing or fast up and down the sound of the siren is used as the ATTACK or “Air Raid” signal.  This signal is used in the event that an enemy attack is indicated by Homeland Security.

The sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of each month.  In the event there are storms in the area, the monthly test may be canceled.

In the event of an actual emergency, one signal will be transmitted for 3 continuous minutes. In the case of a test, the alert signal is sounded for only 1 minute followed by 30-60 seconds of silence, followed by 1 minute of the Attack signal. 

The City of Murphysboro has defined specific situations for when the sirens will be sounded.  One of the criteria for activation is a tornado warning which is issued for the City of Murphysboro.  The National Weather Service no longer issues storm warnings for an entire county, rather they issue storm-based warnings which are for a specific geographical area (not county lines) based on the storm’s location and movement.  This prevents sirens from being activated and people from taking shelter in areas that are not being and will not be affected by the storm.  Often times part of Jackson County may be under a warning for a storm, and this warning may not include the City of Murphysboro.   The sirens will be sounded only when the warning issued affects the City of Murphysboro or one of our trained weather spotters reports conditions that warrant activation.

Following FEMA guidelines, an all clear signal is NOT sounded.  The alert signal indicates that residents should tune to local news media for the latest information.  Once the danger has passed, this will be relayed though local media.  If a siren sounds a second time during a storm, this indicates that a new threat has been identified.