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Ask Axios: Do sirens distinguish emergencies?

Jason Clayworth

An aerial view of a residential street shows utility workers in safety vests near a truck and trailer, beside a tall pole with a black stacked device. Cars and a white RV line the curb. — Des Moines upgraded its warning system last year, which follows Polk County Emergency Management Agency guidelines and doesn't warn for floods. Photo: Courtesy of the city of Des Moines

"I live in the North of Grand neighborhood and heard sirens go off three separate times this evening (Sept. 8) during storms. They were all, presumably, for "severe thunderstorms with 70+ mph winds," but I had to search on my phone to confirm.

Out of habit, I hear a siren and I go downstairs. But last night, there were sirens with no funnel clouds. So I wanted to know: Does the city use a different siren for a tornado warning? Otherwise, that seems awfully dangerous!" — Claire Richmond, DSM

The short answer: No.

Zoom in: The sirens are a "blunt tool" intended to alert people outdoors to a threat, with the call to action being universal for tornadoes or winds that are 70 MPH or greater, Brett McIntyre, a program assistant for Polk County Emergency Management, tells Axios.

Flashback: Using sirens for other warnings, such as flash floods, risks causing confusion because people might not distinguish the specific threat without additional context, Polk County Emergency Management Agency director A.J. Mumm told Axios last year.

The bottom line: If you hear a siren, get your a** inside and ask why later.

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