Outdoor Warning Sirens

What do outdoor sirens sound like?

A loud piercing high pitched whine sound that can be heard outdoors. Sirens typically sounds continuously for 2 to 3 minutes before pausing and restarting if the hazard has not yet passed.

Listen to a recording of one of our outdoor sirens(MP3, 158KB)

When will I hear the sirens?

If there is a nearby tornado, destructive winds or another hazard. Kent County has hundreds of outdoor sirens and when a warning is issued for any part of the county, all sirens will sound.

What should I do when I hear sirens?

Seek shelter indoors, ideally in the basement and stay away from windows and doors. If there is no basement, take cover in a small room in the center of the house or building on the lowest level (such as a bathroom or closet). Turn on your TV or radio for more information. 

If you are in a vehicle when the sirens sound, seek shelter in a safe structure, ditch or ravine away from the vehicle. Do not seek shelter under a highway overpass.

If you are outdoors and not near a safe structure, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and hold onto something on the ground if available.

When are the sirens tested?

Outdoor warning sirens are tested on the first Friday of every month at noon, April through October.