I live in Nashville, tn, and we have sirens that are tested monthly. They are sounded 4-5 times a year, usually during the spring; however actual touchdowns are uncommon. The largest tornado I know of in middle TN was an EF3, and that was 15 years ago and not a long track. We do usually get a smaller tornado once a year. So, overall the risk is low, but just enough to have a really good warning system in place. When I lived in DC, it seemed that tornados were so rare (and if they do happen, they are typically very small/low intensity) that it would be a real waste of resources to install a siren system. Anything approaching "severe storm" is always excessively hyped and gives people ample time to take cover.

I live in the North Hills section of Silver Spring and hear the "12 o'clock whistle" on days I work from home. Sounds like a siren that could be used for tornados, emergencies, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is how to sign up for alerts in MoCo:

https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/index.php?CCheck=1

Is there anything like this for Alexandria city?

Yes. I don't have the URL handy, but I signed up for them by email (not sure if they also do texts). The city has a host of different email lists that you can sign up for through the city website.

Anonymous wrote:The other bad thing about DC's alert system is that I get a text for EVERY SINGLE road closure (for parades, police activity, you name it). I'd say there is on average one alert every day, often two. So who is going to notice an alert about a tornado?

DC just does not get shit right.

Also, PP here - I realize you can turn off transportation now. However, another complaint is that the "severe weather alert" alert goes out for moderate rain - not even kidding.

The other bad thing about DC's alert system is that I get a text for EVERY SINGLE road closure (for parades, police activity, you name it). I'd say there is on average one alert every day, often two. So who is going to notice an alert about a tornado?

DC just does not get shit right.

Anonymous wrote:The problem is that a siren without other information isn't really helpful.

Not every emergency/threat is the same. I think if sirens just went off around the DC area, most people would assume it's an attack (especially people who lived here during 9/11).

I think the text alerts are better because they are specific, and that information gives people a better idea what to do.

The interesting thing is that after the earthquake, a friend from California told me that the worst thing to do in that case is go to the basement, because you could get buried.

So I think different regions have different responses.

Do any of you actually get the DC text alerts? First of all, they come literally like 20 minutes after the storm has ended. I get the text and the email and neither of them come anywhere near "before" a storm gets here. They'd be useless if that's how you're planning to save yourself. We get to the basement for larger storms and anything that seems like it could get tornadic. I grew up in PA, where like others, we had drills at school and took to the basement at least once a month in the summer.

Anonymous wrote:According to this 2011 article, only Arlington and La Plata have sirens.

http://arlington.wusa9.com/news/news/why-so-few-tornado-sirens/56801

Shit--Arlington has them. Hot damn!

Anonymous wrote:Here is how to sign up for alerts in MoCo:

https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/index.php?CCheck=1

Is there anything like this for Alexandria city?

Anonymous wrote:During the earthquake, I got into a doorframe...which I found out later was NOT the right thing to do. Damn movies and TV shows!

That's what they used to advise was the safe thing to do.

During the earthquake, I got into a doorframe...which I found out later was NOT the right thing to do. Damn movies and TV shows!

21:59 here again -- meant different regions have different emergency responses based on the most likely threats they face.

The problem is that a siren without other information isn't really helpful.

Not every emergency/threat is the same. I think if sirens just went off around the DC area, most people would assume it's an attack (especially people who lived here during 9/11).

I think the text alerts are better because they are specific, and that information gives people a better idea what to do.

The interesting thing is that after the earthquake, a friend from California told me that the worst thing to do in that case is go to the basement, because you could get buried.

So I think different regions have different responses.

You betcha we have them here in Waterloo, IA. Transplanted DC native and the first time I heard it I had no idea what it was till my neighbor said "oh, they're testing the tornado sirens today"

Anonymous wrote:Here is how to sign up for alerts in MoCo:

https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/index.php?CCheck=1

Everyone in MoCo should sign up for this. Very helpful. I remember getting a tornado watch alert while in a matinee movie. There is no way I would have heard an outdoor siren while in a loud movie theater. But I got my text.

MoCo participates with other COG jurisdictions on those alerts, so I assume other counties, the district, etc, have something similar.

Here is how to sign up for alerts in MoCo:

https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/index.php?CCheck=1