Outdoor Warning Sirens

Map of outdoor warning sirens and their circumference of sound

Do not call 911 to ask why the warning sirens have been activated. Only call 911 if you have an emergency to report for Police, Fire or EMS assistance. Contact Rowlett OEM at 972-412-6230 for answers to questions regarding sirens and siren activation.

The City of Rowlett has an all-hazards system of ten Outdoor Warning Sirens that are strategically located around the City to alert citizens, who are outdoors, of approaching or existing hazardous conditions.

Outdoor Warning Sirens

Because they are often associated with tornado warnings, Outdoor Warning Sirens are often considered "tornado sirens;" however, the term "tornado siren" is a misnomer that fails to capture the fact that these sirens serve as an all-hazards alerting system. Outdoor Warning Sirens may be activated for:

  • Tornado Warnings and Tornado Emergencies issued by the National Weather Service
  • A tornado or funnel cloud reported by reliable, official sources (e.g., public safety personnel and trained storm spotters)
  • Sustained winds in excess of 70 mph
  • Verified reports of ping-pong ball (1.5"), golf ball (1.75") or greater sized hail for the City of Rowlett
  • Hazardous material (HazMat) spill or chemical release emergencies
  • Other emergencies as appropriate

Sirens are not activated by an automatic system. Instead, an authorized City official must determine whether or not to activate the sirens based on the current threat(s). Additionally, the City is capable of activating individual sirens when a multi-siren or system-wide activation is unnecessary due to the limited geographical impact of a hazard.

What To Do When A Siren Sounds

If you hear a siren:

  • Remain calm
  • Make sure that it is not a siren test (see below for more information)
  • Seek sturdy shelter immediately
  • Make your way to an interior room, away from windows and exterior walls
  • Turn on a radio or television to a local station for more information about what the specific hazard is (check your mobile device for any alerts from the NWS or Connect Rowlett)
  • Pay careful attention to any instructions
  • Take action, especially any that is recommended by official sources, to protect yourself and your family
  • Unless told otherwise, stay indoors until the emergency has ended

Do not call 911 to ask why the warning sirens have been activated. Only call 911 if you have an emergency to report for Police, Fire or EMS assistance. Contact Rowlett OEM at 972-412-6230 for answers to questions regarding sirens and siren activation.

Monthly Testing

The Outdoor Warning Sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 1:00 PM. The sirens are tested with a three minute blast that will fade in and out as the sirens rotate.

The sirens are not tested during periods in which severe weather is possible, in order to avoid confusion between actual severe weather and testing. A modified test, known as a "growl test," may be performed when overcast, and virtually no chance of severe weather exists. A growl test is simply a very low volume test. Additionally, growl tests may be used to test sirens after an initial test or when testing sirens outside of the regular date/time.

Siren tests from surrounding jurisdictions may also be possible:

  • Dallas - 12:00 PM on the first Wednesday of every month
  • Garland - 12:00 PM on the first Wednesday of every month
  • Rockwall - 2:00 PM on the first and third Wednesday of every month
  • Sachse - 12:00 PM on the first Saturday of every month
  • Wylie - 1:00 PM on the first Wednesday of every month

Siren tests and test cancellations are typically coordinated with surrounding jurisdictions.

Limitations Of Outdoor Warning Sirens

It is important to understand that these sirens are designed to alert those who are outdoors, and are not intended to alert people in cars, homes, businesses, or other buildings. It is possible to hear sirens indoors, but it should NOT be expected.

It is also possible that you may not hear activated sirens when outdoors. Several factors affect the audible range of sirens, including:

  • Sound output
  • Atmospheric conditions
  • Topography
  • Ambient noise levels
  • Proximity to activated siren(s)