Tornado Siren Decommissioning
NOTICE
Outdoor Early Warning System Sirens
Decommissioning Beginning in 2027
FEMA has approved Xcel’s request to transition to an all-digital early warning system. As a result, Xcel offered the 49 sirens it owns and operates in Sherburne County to local jurisdictions. The Blue Hill Board of Supervisors declined the offer, citing financial considerations, potential liabilities associated with owning and operating the sirens, and the availability of more advanced and reliable technologies for detecting and alerting the public to severe weather and other emergencies.
To help prepare Blue Hill Township residents, the following information is being shared well in advance of any siren decommissioning. Residents are encouraged to explore the alternative early-warning applications and equipment listed below to stay informed about severe weather emergency events.
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) is FEMA’s national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public through mobile phones using Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), to radio and television via the Emergency Alert System (EAS), on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NOAA Weather Radio, and to digital devices and services via the IPAWS All-Hazards Information Feed.
Hyper-Reach WEA is a FREE opt-in subscription, for Sherburne County residents.
Visit your cell provider’s store for help adding apps to your mobile device or modifying app
settings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SIREN DECOMMISSIONING CALL:
Blue Hill Township: 763-400-6891 or EMAIL: [email protected]