Sound Off: Tulsa's Emergency Warning System Explained

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa's emergency siren warning system served to awaken many area residents to storm dangers Thursday morning. But do most people know the sirens use different tones that warn citizens about tornadoes, floods, military attacks and chemical releases into the atmosphere?

Tornado siren: a three-minute, steady or one-note tone like the one heard Thursday morning serves two purposes. It warns of impending tornadoes or of a chemical release into the atmosphere. The only change in the siren's sound is an increase or decrease in volume that is caused by a change in wind direction or velocity.

Military attack: In the event of a military attack, the city's warning system will sound a three-minute "wavering" tone. It is described as being similar to the wailing sound made by police cars and other emergency vehicles. It will only be used to warn of military invasion.

Flooding: A three-minute "high-low" tone – similar to the sirens used by many European emergency vehicles – warns of impending flooding.

When the sirens sound, Tulsa area residents are advised to seek shelter and tune into local broadcast outlets for additional information.

Tulsa's warning sirens are tested each Wednesday at noon if the weather is good. On occasion, according to the City of Tulsa web site, technicians may test individual sirens randomly. Those tests, however, will be about one minute long instead of the three-minute actual warning siren.

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