OUTDOOR WARNING
SIRENS
The Village of Winthrop
Harbor maintains three outdoor warning sirens for use in providing
audible warnings of severe weather events.
The Police Department,
Fire Department and Emergency Management Agency work cooperatively
in the maintenance and operations of the outdoor warning siren
system.
Where are the outdoor
sirens located?
The three outdoor sirens
used to alert people in Winthrop Harbor are at these locations:
- 3rd Street Siren: Located on the South side of
3rd Street, between Cavin and Garnett Avenues
- 8th Street Siren: Located on the South side of
8th Street, at the intersection of Whitney Avenue.
- 9th Street Siren: Located on the South side of
9th Street, at the intersection of East Broadway Avenue.
Remember that while you
may hear the outdoor sirens while inside your home or business,
they sirens are designed to warn persons who are outside.
The village recommends that weather alert radios be used
inside homes and businesses.
What should you do
when you hear the warning sirens?
When you hear the sirens
sound during severe weather, you should seek safe shelter and
seek information. The sirens will sound for a period of three
to five minutes when activated for an actual emergency. (Sirens
will sound for only one minute during the monthly test)
If you are outside, go
to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement,
storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement,
go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet,
interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside
walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
Do not open windows.
Once you are inside and
safe, turn on a TV, radio or NOAA weather alert radio to be informed
of the storm location, path and the duration of the warning.
There is no all-clear signal, once the warning has expired
it is safe to leave your shelter location. Be aware, however,
that the situation can change so be prepared in case another
warning is issued for Winthrop Harbor.
We strongly recommend that
every residence, business and school use a weather alert radio
with battery back-up. Weather alert radios automatically activate
to warn and inform you whenever a warning is issued for Winthrop
Harbor or the surrounding areas.
What if I am in a
vehicle, trailer or mobile home?
It is a good practice to check the weather
forecast before leaving for work, school or simply running errands.
if severe weather is in the forecast, make sure you continue
to keep a radio tuned to a local station to keep informed of
the weather situation as it develops.
If you are in a vehicle, trailer or mobile
home, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy,
nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied
down, offer little protection from tornadoes.
If you are outside with no building available,
lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head
with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not
get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat
location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested
areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately
for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris
from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
Whenever severe weather is possible, you
may see one or more of the following signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low lying cloud (Particularly
if rotating)
Take Shelter immediately, do not wait to
hear the outdoor warning system when signs indicate a tornado
or sever thunderstorm with damaging winds is present.
When are the outdoor sirens tested?
The Winthrop Harbor outdoor warning sirens
are tested at 10:00 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month.
During the tests the sirens are sounded for one minute.
(In an actual weather emergency, the sirens are sounded for three
to five minutes).
When are the outdoor sirens activated
for a real emergency?
The outdoor warning sirens are activated
under the following circumstances;
- Receipt of a confirmed sighting of a tornado
or funnel cloud within a five mile area surrounding the boundaries
of Winthrop Harbor
- Receipt of a confirmed sighting of severe
winds causing damage to structures within a five mile area surrounding
the boundaries of Winthrop Harbor
- Receipt of a tornado warning issued by
the National Weather Service indicating that the community is
in the direct path of an oncoming tornado or thunderstorm producing
severe and damaging winds.
The outdoor warning sirens will be activated
for a steady tone of between three and five minutes during an
actual weather emergency. The sirens are activated for only one
three to five minute period, and will only be reactivated upon
receipt of another confirmed sighting or warning issued by the
National Weather Service.
There is no "all-clear" signal
given by the outdoor siren system. Monitor TV, radio or weather
alert radios for information as it develops.
The content of this page is for information
only, and is not provided as all-inclusive information on how
to prepare for or seek shelter from severe weather. For additional
information please visit the National Weather Service Web site
at www.weather.gov.
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