Outdoor Warning Sirens

Click Here for a graphical map of Siren Locations and Coverage 

In Racine County, local municipalities are responsible for the installation and maintenance of outdoor warning sirens. Not all municipalities have chosen to install outdoor warning sirens. Outdoor warning sirens were designed to warn people who are outside, they are not designed to be an indoor warning device, although on occasion you may hear them indoors.

What Should I Do if I Hear the Sirens?
If the sirens are activated - and it is not our monthly 30-second siren test - the public should see it as a signal to:
•Seek immediate indoor shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and glass
•Tune into radio or television to get information about:
•Type of Emergency
•Instructions & Recommendations

Siren Test
The outdoor warning sirens are tested in Racine County on the first Saturday of every month at 4:00pm. In the event of inclement weather, the monthly test may be cancelled

Limitations
Outdoor warning sirens also have limitations. They are not designed to:
•wake you up at night, especially if storms (rain and wind) are creating additional noise or you
•alert you if you are indoors, especially in newer, more energy-efficient, and better-insulated homes with additional electronic noise (like air conditioners, stereos, or television on);
•reach every square inch of a municipality. Outside, environmental factors such as the direction and speed of the wind, relative humidity, and air stability can affect where sirens are heard on any given day.