Warning Sirens

What to do when you hear the sirens!!!

Monthly Testing
The City of Weslaco operates warning sirens strategically located around the City to provide the best coverage possible.  These sirens are tested on the fist day of each month at 12 p.m.

During an Emergency
In the event of a Tornado Warning residents will hear a 3 to 5 minute steady signal of the sirens.  When you hear the sirens during bad weather, go indoors and seek shelter in the most interior room in your home or office.  You should avoid the outside walls and windows.  An interior bathroom, closet, or other room is generally the safest location.  Cover yourself with pillows or get under heavy furniture for protection.  If you have access to a radio or television, turn it on to a local channel to listen for essential emergency information.  All local channels will interrupt programming to issue Tornado Warnings and advise you where the tornado is located.  Please do not call local fire or police agencies to ask why the sirens are sounding unless immediate assistance is needed.

If you are outdoors when the sirens go off
If you are outdoors when the outdoor warning sirens are activated seek shelter immediately. If shelter is not available and severe weather is in the area lie in a ditch, ravine, culvert or low-lying area. Make sure that the low-lying area that you choose is not prone to flooding. Use your arms or a piece of clothing to protect your head and neck. 

If you are in a mobile home or a vehicle
Mobile homes and vehicles are extremely vulnerable to the effects of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. One third of tornado deaths nationwide occur in mobile homes. Residents of mobile home parks should have a designated shelter in the community or a plan for residents to evacuate to an off-site shelter location. Find out about the tornado shelter plan in your community. If there is no time to get to shelter, abandon the mobile home or vehicle and lie flat in the nearest ditch or depression with your hands covering your head. NEVER try to out run a tornado.