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Outdoor Warning System
This system is meant to warn residents who are outside only. You may not be able to hear it inside or in noisy areas.
To receive emergency notifications indoors, the Office of Emergency Management recommends the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) All Hazards and Weather Alert Radio with the Specific Area Message Encoding feature. The NOAA radio allows you to keep up to date on all types of emergencies 24 hours a day. You can buy one at many local retailers starting at $20.
Siren Locations & NWS Warning Boundary
The City of Irving has 26 strategically placed outdoor warning sirens throughout Irving. The sirens are designed to alert individuals who are outside to immediately seek shelter indoors and tune in to local media for more information.
When the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a tornado warning for an area, the warning will include boundaries spanning a small, localized area. The City of Irving’s outdoor sirens are sectioned into four zones, as shown below. Immediately following the NWS tornado warning announcement, if a zone’s siren is located within the NWS warning boundary, then all sirens in that zone will sound.
Outdoor Warning System Activation
When activated, the Outdoor Warning sirens will rotate 360 degrees while sounding a steady tone for three minutes. It may be continuously sounded until the danger has passed. There is no all-clear message.
When you hear the Outdoor Warning System sound, you should immediately go inside and tune into the local news on radio or television for additional information.
The Outdoor Warning System is activated in the following situations:
- A tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service.
- Tornado or funnel cloud reported by a reliable source.
- Sustained winds in excess of 70 mph.
- Reports of hail larger than 1.5 inches in diameter.
Watches vs Warnings
The National Weather Service will issue alerts based on the weather moving through the area. Sound judgment can be made regarding appropriate actions to take.
A watch means: conditions are favorable for the severe weather event in or near the watch area.
A warning means: severe weather event is imminent or occurring in the warned area.
Contact Us
-
Jason Carriere
Emergency Management Coordinator
City Hall
825 W. Irving Blvd.
Irving, TX 75060P: (972) 721-2100
F: (972) 721-2186