Emergency Warning Sirens To Be Tested In Denver

DENVER, CO — The City and County of Denver will conduct a 3-minute test of its outdoor warning siren system Wednesday, officials announced. The test is conducted annually before tornado season.

The sirens are scheduled to sound at 11 a.m., and are for outdoor notification only, officials said.

“We are now entering the severe weather season," said Matthew Mueller, executive director of the Denver Office of Emergency Management, in a statement.

"With good weather and more activities occurring outdoors we want to make sure our Outdoor Warning System equipment, process and procedures are practiced, fully functional and the public is aware of their importance.”

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The sirens should not be relied on for indoor notification, the city said in a news release.

"Your smart phone with a weather app or a weather band radio are more reliable sources for indoor notifications," the release read. "When an activation occurs, turn to your local news for information. Do not call 9-1-1 or the Communications Center as this could overwhelm the phone systems and prevent emergency calls from being received."

If you hear outdoor warning sirens when a test isn't being conducted, find shelter immediately and seek additional information from local media for further warnings or instructions, city officials said.

The best places to shelter during a tornado are indoors, in a basement or interior room, and away from windows.