Outdoor warning sirens

Know what to do when you hear outdoor warning sirens.

When you'll hear sirens

Sirens sound when there is dangerous weather approaching

  • A tornado warning is issued (a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar)  
  • Reports of sustained winds of more than 70 mph 
  • Damaging, dangerous hail, or other life-threatening weather hazard 

Sirens sound during routine testing

Hennepin county tests sirens during:

  • Monthly testing (usually on the first Wednesday of the month)
  • Regular maintenance
Outdoor siren

Sirens used to warn people outdoors

Hennepin County uses warning sirens to alert people outside about dangerous weather. 

  • Sirens warn people outside and complement other severe weather information.
  • The Weather Service, radio, and TV usually share news of approach dangerous weather.

 

What sirens sound like

Warning sirens sound for one minute, pause for a minute and may sound again. 

While many people can hear the sirens indoors, they are designed to alert people outside to immediately seek shelter inside.

What to do when you hear a siren

Seek shelter and information immediately

  • Go into a building and stay away from windows
  •  Go to the basement or lowest level of your home
    If you don’t have a basement, go to a bathroom, hallway or closet
  • If you are driving and can’t get inside, pull over safely, and lie in a low area away from cars
    Don't go under an overpass
  • Cover your head with your arms
  • Listen to local weather information on the radio, television or check the Twin Cities national weather service
  • Continue sheltering until the threat has passed

After dangerous weather has passed

Hennepin County does not use the outdoor warning sirens to give an “all-clear” or notify people that the danger has passed. 

Testing and maintenance

The City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County conduct regular testing of sirens.

Monthly tests

  • The sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m.
  • They sound for one minute, pause, and sound again for another minute.  

Functionality tests

The City and County also conduct infrequent, shorter tests to ensure functionality on specific sirens.

  • These tests involve a specific siren sounding very briefly—for up to 15 seconds
  • These individual siren tests may happen at any point in the month

Report a problem with an outdoor warning siren  

To report a problem with an outdoor warning siren, contact 311 or email the Emergency Management Department directly at emergencymanagement@minneapolismn.gov. 

 

Please include the siren’s approximate location and what you observed. 

Contact us

Minneapolis 311

Email Minneapolis 311

Phone

311 or 612-673-3000

Relay service

612-673-3000

Hours

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday – Friday

See list of City holidays