Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged monthly test, siren, tornado on November 5, 2019 | Leave a Comment »
The November test of the Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren System will happen tomorrow (11/6/19) at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 7 November 2019.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged monthly test, siren, tornado on September 3, 2019 | Leave a Comment »
The September test of the Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren System will happen tomorrow (9/4/19) at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 5 September 2019.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged monthly test, siren, tornado on March 6, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
The March test of the Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren System will happen tomorrow (3/7/18) at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 8 March 2018.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged monthly test, tornado, tornado siren on August 2, 2016 | Leave a Comment »
Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of August so we’ll be testing the tornado outdoor warning sirens at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 4 August 2016.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged monthly test, siren, tornado on February 2, 2016 | Leave a Comment »
Due to the forecasts for inclement weather tomorrow, the test of the outdoor tornado warning siren system will take place on Thursday, February 4th at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute.
Should you hear the sirens tonight or tomorrow, seek cover.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged monthly test, siren, tornado on November 3, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of November so we’ll be testing the tornado outdoor warning sirens at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 5 November 2015.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged tornado, tornado siren on January 7, 2015 | Leave a Comment »
The tornado outdoor warning sirens are undergoing maintenance this week so you won’t hear the test today. The first system testing you’ll hear in 2015 will be on February 4th at 5:00 p.m. Should you hear the sirens between now and then, take cover as a tornado is likely imminent.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Posted in emergency management, tagged code red, Decatur, DEMA, flash flood, flood, National Weather Service, severe weather, tornado on April 28, 2014 | 1 Comment »
The latest weather update from DEMA / National Weather Service shows Decatur should be prepared for storms overnight and into the early morning. As of this posting, models are showing that the strongest part of the storm will most likely hit during the Tuesday morning rush hour. Everyone is urged to check the weather before getting on the road to go to work tomorrow morning.
As a reminder, turn your weather radio on and keep your phone close for Code Red/Weather Warn messages. Have a plan to take care of your family as well as your pets. Please don’t leave your pets outside during severe weather.
There is the possibility of tornados, hail and flash flooding in and around the City of Decatur. The community is urged to stay off the roads if possible once the heavy rain and thunderstorms start. Severe weather could continue in the area through Thursday.
Updates will be posted here as the weather situation develops.
Posted in emergency management, tagged code red, Decatur, Decatur Police, emergency management, FEMA, flood, flooding, georgia power, rain, severe weather, smart911, tornado, tornado siren on April 28, 2014 | 1 Comment »
Severe weather is expected to arrive in Decatur between 6 and 8 p.m. tonight and will last through Thursday. Tornadoes, flooding, severe thunderstorms and lightning are all possible during this time.
Here are things to do NOW to prepare for the inclement weather:
Remember:
Tornado sirens: What you need to know
Decatur has installed four outdoor sirens to warn the community when such a threat occurs. The sirens are located at Glennwood Academy, Winnona Park Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary and the City Schools Administration Building on Scott Boulevard.
What are Tornado Outdoor Warning Sirens?
They are alarms that will be sounded to alert citizens who are outdoors that a tornado may be imminent. They are not designed to be heard inside a home or other building.
Who decides to sound the sirens and when will I hear them?
Sirens will be sounded by personnel in Decatur’s Police Communications Center when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for the Decatur area or when a tornado is spotted by a member of public safety. The sirens will sound for three to five minutes.
What should I do when I hear the siren?
Take immediate cover. Go indoors to a safe room at ground level or below with as few windows as possible. Basements are usually the best option. If you are in a vehicle and see a tornado approaching, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building. If a building is not available, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries. Stay in a safe place until the weather improves.
How will my family be alerted indoors and at night?
Everyone must take personal responsibility to monitor radio and television weather reports when severe weather occurs. In a crisis, the Emergency Alert System instantly interrupts radio and TV broadcasts to provide emergency information. The National Weather Service (NWS) uses the system to alert the public to emergency weather information and dangerous conditions. EAS warnings are also transmitted on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. Since neither the sirens nor the media may alert you indoors at night, we recommend that households and businesses have a Weather Alert Radio, which sounds an alarm when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. If you buy a radio, we strongly recommend you purchase one that is programmable with your local county code.
More information about tornado safety can be found at http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
