Why did I hear sirens going off when there is no tornado warning?
The Meridian Township sirens are tested at 1:00 pm on the first Saturday of each month. The Ingham County 911 Center is responsible for sounding the sirens for testing and during an actual event when a warning is issued. The monthly test uses the standard “ALERT” (steady) sound and lasts from 30 seconds to one minute in duration. This test confirms the reliability of each siren in Ingham County. The last thing we want is a siren that does not work during a severe weather event.
When should I seek shelter?
When outdoor warning sirens are activated, you should seek shelter as soon as possible. If you are outside, move inside a structure and seek shelter. The best place to shelter is in a basement.
How did Meridian Township decide where to install outdoor warning sirens?
Siren locations were chosen based on several factors, the most important of which is the ability to provide optimal, uniform coverage throughout the entire Township. These areas include high population density and outdoor gathering areas such as parks, lakes, etc.
Other factors include southern exposure, elevation, proximity and height of adjacent structures, underground and overhead utilities, and accessibility for installation and maintenance. Most sirens are placed in the public right-of-way next to schools, parks, fire stations and commercial and public facilities. However, in some neighborhoods, it was impossible to avoid placement near residences without having gaps in sound coverage.
Can I request the Township move or add a siren?
In certain circumstances, the Township will consider moving sirens. However, moving sirens is costly and time consuming as there are only a few vendors in the country that have the collective expertise to install the siren head, radio system, solar panels, batteries, etc. Having a siren moved requires advanced budgeting, permitting and scheduling. Additionally, moving a siren a block or two would do little to minimize the sound – sirens are meant to be loud!
When is it all clear or safe to come out of sheltering?
Unfortunately, the NWS does not issue an all-clear after a tornado warning. Rather, each of their warnings carries a start and end time, so unless the warning is extended, reissued, or cancelled, it will simply expire at the end time. Therefore, it is very important to monitor local media or the NWS to know if anything changes.
We encourage schools, office buildings and other large facilities to have their facility managers or safety personnel monitor the media, NOAA weather radio or other reliable information sources and alert the facility tenants when the warning has passed.
