Cobb County has an extensive network of over 70 outdoor warning sirens strategically placed to alert residents during weather-related emergencies. Ten of these sirens have the added capability of broadcasting voice messages. The primary purpose of these warning sirens is to alert individuals who are outdoors, as they are not designed to be heard within homes or buildings (though often they can be).
The outdoor warning sirens in Cobb County are activated under specific conditions in order to alert and ensure public safety. These conditions include:
- Tornado Warnings: When the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a tornado warning, the siren system is activated.
- Confirmed Tornado Sightings: If a tornado is spotted by a trained storm spotter, the sirens are activated to alert residents.
- Additional Weather Warnings: Any other weather warnings that necessitate public notification and protective action trigger the siren system.
- Hazardous Materials Incidents: In the event of hazardous materials incidents that require evacuation, shelter-in-place, or other protective actions, the sirens are utilized.
- National Security Events: The sirens may be activated in response to a National Security Event or any other impending danger as determined by the Cobb County Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) Director.
- Impending Danger: Any event where the CEMA Director identifies a need for public protective notification.
Also, while all sirens can be used to warn residents to seek shelter, only those with voice message capabilities are utilized for these other protective actions.
While the monthly siren testing activates all sirens at once, during an emergency the sirens are computer-controlled to activate separately and only sound at an individual siren if that siren is located in, or within 2 miles of, a National Weather Service warning area. This means that if you hear a siren during an emergency, the emergency is not just somewhere in the county, it is likely in or within 2 miles of your location.
The entire outdoor warning siren system, along with its components, undergoes diagnostic and audible testing at 12:00 pm (noon) on the first Wednesday of every month, conditions permitting. If inclement weather conditions exist on the first Wednesday, the test is postponed until 12:00 pm on the first Thursday, as directed by the CEMA Director. In cases where inclement weather persists on the first Thursday as well, testing for that month is canceled.
