Don't be alarmed when you hear the wail of a siren in Aurora on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
The city of Aurora Office of Emergency Management will be testing their emergency outdoor warning sirens starting at 11:30 a.m. Typically, the city tests the audible system twice a year; once in March and again in November. They perform silent tests weekly.
According to a press release, more than 50 sirens will be tested throughout the city. Residents will hear a wailing sound for three minutes. There won't be any voices and there isn't an "all-clear" tone. Folks outside will hear the full call, while folks inside may not hear the sound.
The city said the all-hazard sirens are necessary to "provide notice regarding an emergency situation, such as a tornado warning or hazardous-material spill."
Since there is no sound for when a situation may be resolved, the city reminds residents that any sound coming from those sirens should be seen as an emergency. Seek shelter immediately. If there is a new warning or threat, the sirens will reactivate.
The city adds that folks should seek information about the emergency via usual sources such as local television stations, radios and online. Use the information provided through those outlets to determine when the situation has passed.
If you'd like to receive emergency alerts on your phone or through email, the city says you can sign up for their emergency alert provider, CodeRED via AuroraGov.org/AlertAurora.
