Emergency government officials stress that weather sirens are for people outdoors only

(Photo of 2004 tornado in Howard County courtesy of National Weather Service La Crosse Office)

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa.  One of the messages emergency government officials are most eager for the public to become aware of is that sirens are intended only to help people who are outdoors.

They stress that sirens mean people who are outdoors should move indoors to a place of safety.  Once they are inside, they need to check with media sources such as TV stations, websites, radio station or weather radios for further information.

That further information includes advice on whether it is once again safe to leave shelter.  There will be no "all clear" signal from the outdoor sirens, Winneshiek County emergency officials say.  If there is a second siren sounded, it is an indication of further severe weather in the area and not an "all clear."

Emergency officials also ask the public not to call 9-1-1 for weather information, but to listen to weather radio or log onto the National Weather Service websites.