Outdoor Warning Sirens

Outdoor Warning Sirens

I hear the sirens! Now what?



Living in North Texas, you have all heard the sound of what has been commonly called “Tornado Sirens” at some point. The decision to activate these sirens is part of a comprehensive planning model designed by Highland Village Public Safety officials.

In order to help you better understand these sirens and what YOU can do to be prepared, we have developed the following Emergency Preparedness message:
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What do the sirens mean?


The correct name for these sirens is “Outdoor Warning Siren System”. The sirens are intended for exactly that - to warn citizens participating in “outdoor activities” of pending severe weather conditions. Once the warning sounds, citizens are encouraged to:

  • Immediately seek shelter!
  • Tune into national/local news service (television or radio)
  • Prepare for possible emergency.
The EOWS are designed to sound for 3 minutes followed by a silence period and then may be repeated a second time if necessary. The sirens will be sounded for each threat that affects the city. The tones for the sirens are:

1) Severe Weather - This is a steady tone that falls after a long period and then repeats. This tone is used to alert for the following threats:

  • Tornado Warning affecting the City of Highland Village.
  • A visually confirmed tornado by trained spotters.
  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning with destructive winds in excessive of 70 mph or hail greater than 1.25”.
2) Civil Defense - This is an alternating tone that rapidly rises and falls multiple times during a cycle. This tone is used to alert for the following threats:

  • A national emergency - immediately and directly affecting the City of Highland Village.
  • An industrial or transportation emergency - immediately and directly affecting the City of Highland Village.
  • Any emergency that is not weather related that immediately and directly affects the City of Highland Village.
Note: It is important to understand that these sirens are not intended to be heard within the confines of a structure. If time allows, prior to siren activation you will receive a message alerting you of pending severe weather conditions if you are signed up for Civicplus service.