Outdoor warning sirens, for your safety

Sherburne County outdoor warning sirens are just one element in an integrated public warning system that uses many methods to provide immediate, life-saving warning notifications to many people as quickly as possible. Other elements of an integrated public warning system can include NOAA Weather Radios, broadcast radio, television, and cable providers that use the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Outdoor warning sirens are simply tools to warn people who are outdoors to take immediate, potentially life-saving action by finding shelter from an imminent deadly threat and get information on the threat. Remember that outdoor warning sirens are not ‘tornado sirens,’ they are used for all-hazard warnings. Sirens may be used for all types of hazards where emergency officials want people in a defined area to ‘get inside then get information.’

Sirens are used for severe weather warnings, as well as for other situations when people should take shelter. Weather-related sirens are triggered when the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning, and/or if there are reports of sustained straight-line winds in excess of 70 mph. Absolutely no ‘all clear’ signals will be given.

The Sheriff’s Office Communication Center is responsible for sounding outdoor warning sirens throughout the county, including city owned sirens. The Communication Center tests/activates all sirens in Sherburne County at 1:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

During Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week in April outdoor warning sirens will be activated twice as part of the statewide tornado drill. Individuals, families, places of business and schools are encouraged to create, update and practice emergency plans. You can find more information out about Severe Weather Awareness Week each April by referring to the State of Minnesota’s Homeland and Emergency Management website.

You can find a map showing where the county's weather sirens are located here.