HUTCHINSON, Kan.— A reminder that the statewide tornado drill is at 11 a.m. Wednesday across Kansas, so if you are outdoors, don't be surprised to hear the outdoor sirens sounding.
While the outdoor warning system can be an effective method of notifying those outdoors, it is only one component of a comprehensive emergency warning system including the use of NOAA weather radios, resident emergency alert system, internet, cell phone applications, local media outlets, and sky conditions.
Designed as an outdoor warning system, the sirens should not be relied upon to provide sufficient warning indoors or in noisy areas. Air conditioning, thunder, wind, rain, and other conditions can cause the sirens not to be heard indoors or outdoors (even if sirens can be heard during tests).
Sirens are also subject to lightning strikes and other equipment malfunction. For these reasons, everyone is encouraged to have multiple ways to receive information about severe weather.
If you are in an area that normally hears a siren and you do not hear one during the test time on Wednesday, contact local officials. In Hutchinson, that is the Street Department at (620) 694-1900.
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