Here’s when Fort Worth uses its siren for severe weather

Fort Worth

After severe weather in North Texas over the weekend, some folks may be curious when tornado sirens are activated.

Two tornadoes — an EF-2 in the Runaway Bay area in Wise County and an EF-1 near Springtown in Parker County — touched down on Saturday, April 25. Two people were killed by the tornadoes, one in Runaway Bay and another near Springtown.

In the event of severe storms, who is in charge of activating the outdoor warning system, also known as a “siren?”

Here’s what to know.

Does the National Weather Service control tornado sirens?

No, that falls to the jurisdiction of the specific city or county.

The National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office simply issues warnings, then it’s up to the municipality to alert the siren if they so choose, said metrologist Patricia Sanchez.

“We don’t go further than the warning,” she said.

Over in Runaway Bay, Emergency Coordinator Steve Reynolds told the Star-Telegram a police officer was taking shelter and triggered the storm siren, but noted that siren was not designed to be heard inside buildings.

“It is designed to warn people who are outside in the middle of a day during the summer if a storm pops up. If you research tornado sirens, it will specifically state that they are made to be heard outdoors and not indoors,” Reynolds said. “Elements such as hills, trees, buildings, wind direction, heavy rain and hail limit how far the sound travels. Research states that if you’re inside, you may not hear the sign which is why weather radios and smartphone weather apps are crucial for safety.”

When is Fort Worth’s siren system deployed?

Fort Worth operates its own outdoor warning system, which is used to alert people who are outdoors of a potential threat.

The siren may not be heard by folks indoors. However, if someone hears the noise inside or outside, the siren indicates that they should take shelter immediately, according to the city. Taking shelter means moving away from windows and exterior walls and into an interior room.

Here is the city’s criteria for when it activates the siren:

• The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning.
• A trained storm spotter reports a tornado.
• Winds of 70 mph or greater.
• Observed hail of 1.5 inches in diameter or greater.
• Other catastrophic emergencies that pose an immediate threat to safety.

At 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, Fort Worth’s Office of Emergency Management conducts an audible 90-second test of the siren. A silent test is run on the remaining Wednesdays of the month, per the city.

Have multiple ways to receive warnings

Fort Worth’s outdoor warning system should be used as a supplemental warning tool, along with two or three other ways to received alerts, according to the city.

Sanchez and the NWS agree with this sentiment, saying that having multiple ways to received alerts is key. Here are few ways the NWS recommends receiving alerts:

Star-Telegram reporter Elizabeth Campbell contributed to this report.

Brayden Garcia

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Brayden Garcia is a service journalism reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Brayden mainly writes about weather and all things Taylor Sheridan-related.