To eliminate any confusion the City of Warr Acres Emergency Management would like to restate our policies for sounding storm sirens.

• Siren testing will be conducted on the first (1st) and third(3rd) Saturday at 12:00 (noon) of each month (weather permitting). This test is NOT conducted when threatening weather is in the area.
• When activated due to storm alerts, the siren consists of a steady tome for a
  duration of three minutes. Second siren activation will occur IF the initial warning had been sounded more than ten minutes prior to
  the warned storm system's arrival to the city. The second activation will be
  another three minute sounding.
• The City reminds residents that there will be NO "all clear" sounded by the sirens.

Outdoor warning sirens are activated when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Oklahoma County, or when radar indicates that the City of Warr Acres is in the potential path of the tornado, along with sustained winds of 75mph or greater. Trained spotters are also taken into account.

Kenny Koger, Emergency Management Director, reminds people that the siren warning is an alert for people who are outside, and is not designed to be heard from indoors. "The sirens provide a warning for anyone who is out of doors to go indoors, if possible, and take shelter." restated Koger. People indoors cannot always expect to hear the outdoor warning sirens.

Koger encourages residents to utilize a NOAA weather radio that provides a warning signal when the area is under a watch or warning. "The advantage of having a weather radio is that you hear the alerts directly from the National Weather Service, and are kept current of the warning status." Weather radios are available at local retailers and are priced at approximately $30.

• Tornado Watch means watch the sky!! Tornado Warning means seek shelter immediately

• Shelter - immediately go to an interior room with NO windows on the lowest possible floor. If you are at school or work DO NOT GO to a cafeteria, gymnasium or large interior open space because the roof might collapse.

• Leave mobile homes immediately - seek shelter in a nearby building or in a ditch

• Driving - Take shelter in a nearby building, in a ditch or low-lying area away from your car. If you are outside, remember to cover your head with your arms, coat or blanket to protect yourself from flying debris. Also watch for flash flooding. Never try to drive out of a tornado.

• Overpasses are not safe - An overpass under-the-girder type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect. This may cause the winds to be stronger and more focused underneath. This can also cause the overpass to be a collector of debris.

• Flash Flooding or Water on the Road - During a thunderstorm, low-lying areas are prone to flash flooding. Never drive into water on the road. If your car stalls, get out of your car immediately and seek higher ground. It takes less than two feet of water to make your car float. Once floating downstream, your car can overturn trapping you inside.