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The purpose of these procedures is to describe the type of systems used to warn citizens of Watauga to a potential threat of safety and to establish procedures for their use. 

Outdoor Warning Sirens – The City of Watauga has three (3) Outdoor Warning Sirens that are designed to warn the public that an emergency exists. Upon activation the siren will sound for three (3) minutes. Citizens should seek shelter and monitor a radio or television for essential information. These sirens are not intended to be heard within a building or vehicle.

Alert Radio – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio provides messages of current weather conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Certain radios may be set up to only alert for Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME).

CodeRed® Telephone Notification – This system is an Emergency Telephone Notification that makes mass calls through the telephone system to warn citizens of a potential hazard or special message.  

1670 AM Radio – The City of Watauga utilizes an AM Radio System that can transmit emergency messages, special instruction messages or general information during non-emergency times.  

Outdoor Warning Sirens: 

1. The on-duty Communications Officer will activate the warning sirens upon notification of one of the following:

1. National Weather Service issued Tornado Warning for Tarrant County.

2. Tornado activity has been reported in Tarrant County by a reliable source (public safety agency, storm spotter, etc).

3. Winds sustained in excess of 60 MPH or greater.

4. Hail in excess of 1 inch reported in the area by a reliable source.

5. At the request of a City emergency official.

2. The system will be activated for three (3) minutes and repeated as necessary.

3. The outdoor warning sirens will be tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., unless the weather conditions are heavily overcast, rainy or anything that may be considered misunderstood for a severe weather event.

Alert Radio:

The National Weather Service controls the alert radio system and provides 24/7 weather broadcasts.

CodeRed® Telephone Notification:

1. The authority to activate the CodeRed® Telephone Notification System will be the City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Fire Captain and Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Marshal.

2. The telephone notification is primarily utilized for safety warnings of all types. It may be activated for a crime warning, an evacuation or the threat of severe
   weather.

3. If a message is sent about shelter in place another message will be broadcast to advise when the issue is clear and no danger exists.

1670 AM Radio:

1. The AM Radio will normally broadcast:

1. NOAA Weather Radio

2. Radio Call Sign

3. Reminder of the monthly siren test

2. In the event of a disaster, 1670 AM will broadcast information pertinent to the
   situation or special instructions for shelters, medical assistance or other necessities.

1. Upon hearing a warning on NOAA weather radio or the Outdoor Warning Siren, citizens should seek shelter; seek additional information from Television News, Weather Radio, or other radio station.

2. When a Warning Device is activated, it is not advisable to go outside to view cloud formation or current conditions. Tornado activity can happen within a matter of minutes.

All thunderstorms produce lightening.  Lightening accounts for an average of 93 deaths and 300 injuries every year.  Don't be fooled!  Lightening can strike as far as 10 miles in advance of an approaching storm.

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