Marengo County Emergency Communications District
Weather Siren Test – Marengo County
Weather permitting, the outdoor warning sirens are tested on the first Thursday of every month at 12:00 pm (noon) to ensure they are functioning properly.
Please note:
Marengo County E-911 is responsible only for testing the sirens and activating them during a tornado warning.
Marengo County E-911 is not responsible for the maintenance or repair of the sirens.
These monthly tests help ensure the system is ready to alert the public during severe weather emergencies.
Question:
If I call 911, can they provide more information about the weather?
Answer:
No. Our dispatchers do not receive any weather reports or information that is not already available to the public.
Weather alerts and updates can be obtained through the following sources:
A NOAA Weather Radio
Trusted weather apps
Local television and radio stations
The National Weather Service Birmingham Facebook page
The Marengo County E-911 Facebook page
Please keep 911 lines open for emergencies only.
Question:
Should I call 911 if my power, cable, or other utilities go out?
Answer:
No. Simple power outages—even those that are widespread—are not considered emergencies.
To report an outage, contact your utility provider directly. Speaking with a representative or leaving a message with the utility company is the most effective way to report service interruptions. Calling 911 to report a power outage will not expedite restoration of service.
Important Reminder
If hazardous conditions exist (such as a live wire), call 911 first, and then notify your utility company.
Do not call 911 simply to report that your power is out—unless a member of your household has a serious medical condition and depends on electricity for life-sustaining medical equipment.
Please help us keep 911 lines open for true emergencies.
Whenever severe weather threatens the citizens of Marengo County, the E-911 Center stands ready to respond.
The E-911 Center has the sole responsibility of activating the county’s outdoor warning sirens when a tornado warning has been issued for areas within Marengo County.
When Are Sirens Activated?
Outdoor warning sirens are activated when:
The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Marengo County, or
A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar within the county.
Sirens are designed to warn individuals who are outdoors that dangerous weather is occurring or imminent.
What Should You Do If You Hear a Siren?
If you hear an outdoor warning siren:
Seek shelter immediately.
Move indoors to a sturdy building.
Go to the lowest level possible.
Stay away from windows.
Take cover in an interior room such as a bathroom, hallway, or closet.
Do not delay to confirm the warning. Treat every siren activation as a serious threat.
Important Reminder
Outdoor warning sirens are not intended to be heard indoors. Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including:
NOAA Weather Radio
Local television and radio stations
Trusted weather apps
Emergency alert notifications
Being prepared and responding quickly can save lives.
Question:
When will the sirens be set off
Answer:
Marengo County E-911 will only activate the outdoor warning sirens in the event of a Tornado Warning.
Warning: A warning is issued when a specific weather or flood hazard is imminent or already occurring (for example, a tornado warning). Warnings indicate conditions that pose a direct threat to life or property.
Watch: Marengo County E-911 will not activate the sirens for a Tornado Watch. A watch is issued well in advance to alert the public to the possibility of a particular weather-related hazard (e.g., tornado watch, flash flood watch). During a watch, the occurrence, location, and timing of the hazard remain uncertain.
Question:
If I call 911, can they give me more information about the weather?
Answer:
No. Our dispatchers do not receive any weather information that is not already available to the public.
Weather alerts and updates can be received through:
NOAA Weather Radio
Trusted weather apps
Local television and radio stations
The National Weather Service Birmingham Facebook page
The Marengo County E-911 Facebook page
Please keep 911 lines open for emergencies only.
Severe Weather & Outdoor Warning Sirens – Marengo County
Question:
Are all of the sirens activated at the same time?
Answer:
No. The outdoor warning siren system is designed so that not all sirens must be activated simultaneously.
Sirens are typically activated only in the areas affected by a warning. The activation area is generally determined by the geographic boundaries identified in warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
Example:
If only the City of Demopolis is under a Tornado Warning, the Sweet Water siren will not be activated.
This targeted approach helps ensure that warnings are specific to the areas at risk while preventing unnecessary activation in unaffected parts of the county.
Question:
When will the sirens be set off
Answer:
Marengo County E-911 will only activate the outdoor warning sirens in the event of a Tornado Warning.
Warning: A warning is issued when a specific weather or flood hazard is imminent or already occurring (for example, a tornado warning). Warnings indicate conditions that pose a direct threat to life or property.
Watch: Marengo County E-911 will not activate the sirens for a Tornado Watch. A watch is issued well in advance to alert the public to the possibility of a particular weather-related hazard (e.g., tornado watch, flash flood watch). During a watch, the occurrence, location, and timing of the hazard remain uncertain.
911 and Severe Weather
Questions & Answers
Question:
If I call 911, can they give me more information about the weather?
Answer:
No. Our dispatchers do not receive any weather information that is not already available to the public.
Weather alerts and updates can be received through:
NOAA Weather Radio
Trusted weather apps
Local television and radio stations
The National Weather Service Birmingham Facebook page
The Marengo County E-911 Facebook page
Please keep 911 lines open for emergencies only.
Question:
What should I do if I hear the sirens?
Answer:
If the sirens are activated—and it is not a monthly test—the public should:
Take it as a signal to seek shelter indoors immediately.
Tune in to a radio or television for important information, instructions, and safety recommendations.
Continue monitoring local media for updates and confirmation that the emergency has ended.
Question:
Is there an “All Clear” signal?
Answer:
No. There is no “all clear” signal associated with the outdoor warning siren system.
If the sirens sound a second time, it does not indicate that it is safe to leave your shelter.
Please also be aware that outdoor warning sirens are not designed to sound for the entire duration of a tornado warning. When the siren stops, it does not mean the threat has ended.
Question:
Why can’t I hear the siren in my house?
Answer:
Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors, not those inside homes or buildings. Depending on your location, building structure, insulation, background noise, and weather conditions, you may not be able to hear the siren indoors.
Outdoor warning sirens should never be relied upon as your only method of receiving severe weather alerts.
Residents are strongly encouraged to have multiple ways to receive warnings, including:
A NOAA Weather Radio
Trusted weather apps with alert notifications enabled
Local television and radio stations
Official updates from Marengo County E-911 and the National Weather Service
Having more than one reliable alert source ensures you receive timely warnings, even while indoors or asleep.
Questions and Answers
© All rights reserved