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Severe Weather -From Watch to Warning |
Generally, the National Weather Service will announce a severe weather watch well in advance of actual severe weather. A severe weather watch means that atmospheric conditions may cause severe weather in and around the watch area. You may receive the watch message via NOAA Weather Radio station KIH61, which is on 162.400 MHz. You may also receive the watch via broadcast radio or TV, on local cable TV, or via the Sarpy County Public Safety Trunked 800 MHz system..
A severe weather warning means that severe weather is indicated by radar or is actually occurring. You may hear the warning broadcast as described above or you may hear a siren sound. When a tornado warning is issued, Sarpy County sounds its sirens once as an initial warning. National Weather in Valley will issue statements and updates during the warning if they can.
Sarpy County does not issue an all clear signal. Every tornado warning is issued with an expiration time. National Weather will cancel a tornado warning, allow it to expire, or extend it as needed. Tune to NOAA Weather radio, or TV or radio broadcasts for updates on tornado warnings.
Sarpy County EMA tests all outdoor warning sirens at 10 AM on the first Saturday of the month from April to Ocotber. The sirens are not tested in the winter because their mechanisms are usually frozen, and severe weather is rare during those months.
National Weather at Valley issues a severe weather outlook three times a day between April 1 and September 30 whether severe weather is expected or not. Severe weather outlooks are issued as needed from October 1 to March 30.
| Outside or in your car | At home, work or your school |
| According to Nebraska law, outdoor warning systems such
as sirens are the responsibility of your Sanitary Improvement District or city.
Contact Sarpy County Emergency Management for more information on installing sirens or
sample bid specifications.
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A battery-operated weather radio is recommended for all
residents. Weather radios are available with "alert" features, which means
they are silent unless there is a watch, warning or test message. The original alert radio is activated by a watch, warning or test anywhere in the transmitter area. For KIH61 in Omaha listening area, this includes eleven counties. The newer WRSAME alert radios allow you to select one county. Therefore, once you set the radio, the only watches and warnings you hear will be those that involve Sarpy County. |
Prepare now to take the proper actions!
Return to the Sarpy County Emergency Management Home Page
Return to the Sarpy County Emergency Management and Communication Agency Home Page
Revised March 28, 2005
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