The city of Wichita Falls has changed its warning sirens policy.
Fire Chief Cody Melton told the City Council Tuesday the new criteria is “meant for clarity and effectiveness, not only for the citizens, but for the people who are going to be pushing the button.”
The biggest change occurs when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for all or part of the city. Now all 53 sirens will sound. Under the previous policy, sirens would sound only in the portion of the city when designated by the NWS.
The sirens will also sound when a tornado or funnel cloud is observed by a trained storm spotter forming in or approaching the city.
They will also be activated when NWS issues a severe thunderstorm warning that includes “a destructive wind … of 80 mph or greater.”
Another change Melton announced was that during a tornado warning the sirens will sound for 3 minutes, rest for 5 minutes and repeat the procedure until the warning expires.
He also said to avoid confusion, there will no longer be an all-clear sounding of the sirens.
Under the previous criteria, the sirens sounded upon a confirmed report of a tornado within the city limits or one that will enter the city limits. The sirens would also sound upon confirmed report of winds in excess of 58 mph.
Melton said the purpose of the sirens is to warn people who are outdoors when danger occurs.
He said residents have a number of ways to stay informed, and “the sirens are just one piece of the puzzle.”
“Get on your TV. Turn on your weather app. Get your weather radio out,” Melton said. “However you tune in for weather, please do that. And we ask, do not rely solely on the sirens.
Melton said the changes were recommended after a meeting in July by 24 people involved in emergency management.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Wichita Falls has new policy for blowing the tornado sirens
Reporting by Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
