Severe weather canceled April’s test, but residents in the Des Moines metro will hear tornado sirens on Saturday, May 2.
The sirens will sound when more people are outside as the city celebrates the kickoff of the Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market for the season.
Don’t be alarmed, there are no severe weather threats expected, and the outdoor weather sirens are just a test.
Here’s what to know about how tornado sirens work in the metro.
When are tornado sirens tested in Des Moines?
Communities in Dallas and Polk counties test their outdoor warning siren system on the first Saturday of each month to ensure they’re working when severe weather strikes. That means you’ll hear sirens on Saturday, May 2.
Sirens will be activated starting at noon each Saturday from March through November. Sirens are not tested in December, January or February to prevent damage from cold temperatures.
Tornado sirens will not be tested if there’s severe weather in the forecast, according to the Polk County Emergency Management Agency.
What does a tornado siren mean?
Outdoor warning siren systems are designed to alert people to nearby dangers. The sirens, often called tornado sirens, are meant to be heard outdoors, not alert people inside, according to the Polk County Emergency Management Agency.
When you hear a tornado siren, you should immediately seek shelter and look for additional information about storm threats, the National Weather Service said.
NWS recommends having alternative ways to get weather alerts like weather radios, local media or the Alert Iowa system, which can text you warnings.
When do tornado sirens go off in Des Moines?
Outdoor sirens are used for more than just tornado warnings in the Des Moines metro area.
Since 2010, sirens in Polk and Dallas counties have been used for severe thunderstorms when observed or forecast winds exceed 70 mph. These storms can cause damage comparable to an EF0 and can be just as dangerous for people outdoors, the county said.
Why do tornado sirens keep going on and off?
During a warning, sirens will sound for 3-5 minutes and cycle on and off about every 10 minutes until the threat passes.
There is not an “all clear” sound in the Des Moines metro. Follow local media or the National Weather Service to ensure a threat has passed.
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Brian Smith is an audience strategist and senior editor at the Des Moines Register. Contact him at bsmith@dmreg.com or 515-284-8214.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Monthly test will sound tornado sirens in Des Moines on Saturday
Reporting by Brian Smith, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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