MUSCATINE, Iowa–The Muscatine County Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) will start the yearly testing of the outdoor Sirens on Monday, April 4. The sirens are tested on the first Monday of every month at 11 a.m. during non-freezing months, however, if there is severe weather forecast for a testing day, the sirens will not be tested.
The county will also be participating in the Statewide Tornado Drill to be held in conjunction with Severe Weather Awareness Week. The Drill will be held on Wednesday, March 23rd at 10 a.m. The sirens will also be activated in conjunction with this drill. For more information, you can visit the National Weather Service Site at https://www.weather.gov/dvn/.
“The Statewide Drill gives businesses, schools, daycares, and other facilities the chance to practice their severe weather procedures as we move into storm season. I encourage all facilities in the county to participate in the drill,” said Chris Jasper, director of emergency management and 911.
Just as a reminder to all citizens, during a severe weather event, the sirens are activated by MUSCOM when one of the following criteria is met:
- Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service.
- Tornado or funnel cloud reported by a trained weather spotter.
- Severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service or a report from a trained weather spotter that includes:
- Wind 70mph or greater and/or
- Golf ball sized hail or larger
According to information from the NWS most fatalities during tornadoes or severe thunderstorms occur due to falling trees or large branches. 70 mph wind is the typical threshold at which large branches and small trees break. Hail also begins to break windows when it reaches or exceeds golf ball sized hail.
“Muscatine County follows the guidelines that are set out by the National Weather Service. Due to the possibility of extreme danger from falling trees and branches we will continue to activate the siren system for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings that meet that threshold,” said Jasper.
Sirens are designed to alert citizens who are outdoors of an imminent hazard and prompt them to go indoors and seek further information.
“We encourage the public to tune into local media outlets or listen to a weather radio during severe weather and ask that they limit the use of 911 to emergencies only,” Jasper said.
Anyone that believes a siren is not working or malfunctioning can reach out to the Office of Emergency Management at 563-264-7142.
