Public Safety Public Safety

Date: May 19th, 2025
Public Service Announcement
RE: Outdoor Warning Sirens

How do the outdoor warning sirens work?

The Emergency Management Team and NOAA assess the severe weather situation and activates the siren if there are hazards threatening the safety of people outside. Once the sirens are activated, they will sound for a 3-minute rotation. Once the outdoor warning sirens have been activated for the 3-minute rotation, they stop. If you hear sirens, you should move indoors and monitor the weather for updates on the situation. The City of Cisco siren system is automated and will be set off by certain warnings that are in the area such as tornado warnings.

1. What are outdoor warning sirens used for?

To alert the public of a severe weather threat. Threats generally include tornado and severe weather warnings, hail over 1.25 inches and straight-line winds 70 mph or higher. The primary function of the sirens is to notify people outside of an imminent weather threat.

2. Where will I hear the outdoor warning siren?

Outdoor warning sirens are designed to be heard outdoors and alert people to go indoors and receive weather updates from local media. Outdoor sirens can be heard for approximately 1 mile in each direction.

3. What does it mean when I hear the outdoor warning siren and what should I do?

Your safety may be at risk from a life-threatening event in progress. Seek shelter indoors and tune to local media, news apps or a weather radio.

4. Does hearing the outdoor warning siren mean I am in imminent danger?

Outdoor warning sirens are often sounded for citywide severe weather warnings and not storm-specific warnings.

5. Are the outdoor warning sirens sounded only for tornados?

No, the outdoor warning sirens are also used for other severe weather-related events.

6. How do I keep up-to-date with severe weather warnings?

Use NOAA weather radios, local television and radio stations, news apps, and social media.

7. Why can’t I hear outdoor warning sirens in my house?

They are designed to alert those outdoors.

8. Who activates the outdoor warning siren?

Public safety personnel for the City of Cisco or NOAA.

9. When are the outdoor warning sirens tested?

On the first day of each month at 1PM, weather permitting.

10. Are outdoor warning sirens the only alert necessary?

No, use multiple sources of information.

11. Where can I find more information?

National Weather Service - Fort Worth Office

12. I am new to the area, where do I take shelter?

The safest shelter is on the lowest floor in a windowless interior room.

13. How long is the outdoor warning siren activated?

3-minute rotation.

14. Do the outdoor warning sirens sound an all-clear signal?

No.

15. Will the outdoor warning sirens sound if the power fails?

Yes, backup batteries are in place.

16. How do the outdoor warning sirens work?

The Emergency Management Team and NOAA assess the severe weather situation and activates the siren if there are hazards threatening the safety of people outside. Once the sirens are activated, they will sound for a 3-minute rotation. Once the outdoor warning sirens have been activated for the 3-minute rotation, they stop. If you hear sirens, you should move indoors and monitor the weather for updates on the situation. The City of Cisco siren system is automated and will be set off by certain warnings that are in the area such as tornado warnings.

Walter Fairbanks