Storm Sirens

The City of Pevely conducts siren testing on the third Monday of each month.

What are the sirens we sometimes hear?

The Pevely Communications Center currently uses a siren system throughout Pevely/Barnhart and Herculaneum. This system is referred to as the Early Warning System. The Early Warning System is a network of sirens throughout the two cities that are activated by the 911 Dispatcher.

There are 5 different warning messages, each warning contains a different message. They are as follows:

• Test Message: “This is a test, this is a test of the Emergency Warning System, this is only a test.”

• Tornado Warning: (one long continuous burst)  “Tornado warning, the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning, please tune to your local radio station for more information.”

• Hazardous Material Warning: “There has been a hazardous materials accident. Please tune to your local radio station for more information, repeat, there has been a hazardous materials accident.”

• All Clear Message: “An all-clear has been issued for this area, repeat, an all-clear has been issued.”

• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: (several short bursts) “Severe thunderstorm warning. A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the area. A severe thunderstorm warning.”

What do I do when I hear the siren?

The first thing you should do is identify which siren you are hearing. The siren alerting the citizens of a tornado warning will be one long continuous burst. If you hear this tone, take cover immediately!

If the siren you are hearing is several short burst this is the Severe Storm Warning, which consists of over 60 mile per hour winds.

Do not call 911 unless you have an emergency during a Tornado Warning or Severe Thunderstorm Warning. The 911 Center experiences an extreme increase of 911 calls during tornados and severe weather and cannot help those with actual emergencies if the 911 lines are busy with non-emergency calls.

What else should I know about the Early Warning System?

The Early Warning System is an outdoor system only and commonly goes unheard when indoors. Do not assume you will always hear these sirens when you are indoors or traveling in your vehicle. It is suggested that you invest in a weather radio from a local retailer, but when doing so please make sure it receives the National Oceanographic and Aeronautics Association (NOAA) frequencies. Some of these weather radios have a built-in weather alert tone that will sound if severe weather occurs within the local stations broadcast range. If you keep this radio in your home or vehicle, it may help you identify severe weather when you are not able to hear the Early Warning System.