Severe Weather Outdoor Warning Signals/Sirens (SWOWS)

The Severe Weather Outdoor Warning Systems (SWOWS) is intended to alert citizens of impending severe weather when they are outside. Depending upon your location, you may hear the sirens from inside your home. It is imperative that everyone have other means of early notification inside the home, such as a weather radio, as the sirens are not always heard inside homes/businesses. Although some citizens can hear the SWOWS while inside their home or business, the system was not designed for that purpose. The system is only designed to alert people who are outside.

If you hear the SWOWS, you should go inside immediately and seek further information about the status of the weather from other sources such as a weather radio, television, or other media.

Reasons for Activation

The City of Smyrna will activate the SWOWS when any of the following occur:

• Tornado Watch is issued by the National Weather Service for the Smyrna Area AND a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for the Smyrna Area
• Tornado Warning is issued for the Smyrna Area
• Tornado Sighting has been reported in the Smyrna Area 

Monthly Testing

The City of Smyrna conducts an audible test of the SWOWS on the first Wednesday of every month at noon except when there is the possibility of a real weather emergency. The SWOWS can be tested at a frequency above the range of the human ear, which allows us to test the sirens anytime without disturbing citizens, if necessary. 

2008 Upgrade

In 2008, the Emergency Management division of Smyrna Fire Rescue completed the replacement of the severe weather outdoor warning system (SWOWS). The previous system consisted of 16 sirens and was more than 36 years old. The new system consists of 10 sirens that are strategically located to be heard from anywhere in the city.
 
The current SWOWS is monitored and activated through the county-wide digital radio system. The system is computer monitored and reports any problems to the 911 center.