Vernon County outdoor warning sirens will now activate during severe thunderstorm warnings with a destructive tag

Vernon County Emergency Management has announced that the outdoor warning sirens will now be activated when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a severe thunderstorm warning with a destructive tag. This change reflects updates to the National Weather Service warning criteria and will help keep you safe. 

According to the National Weather Service, the criteria for a destructive damage threat are at least baseball-sized hail and/or 80 mph thunderstorm winds.

Outdoor warning sirens are intended to alert people who are outdoors to go inside to a safe

location and seek more information. If you hear a siren, head to your shelter and check local news, social media, Everbridge Mass Notification alerts, or your NOAA Weather Radio to monitor local weather reports. Ensure that you have a reliable means of receiving weather alerts to stay up to date; and follow additional safety precautions, including moving to an interior room on the lowest level of your home and avoiding windows.

This new activation criteria is in addition to the current processes and protocols in place for outdoor warning sirens, which include tornado warnings, confirmed tornado sightings, straight line winds, or other situations that fire departments or law enforcement deem necessary.

As a reminder, when sirens are activated, they will sound in and near the affected area. Please heed all warnings and take necessary actions to protect yourself and your loved ones.