Don't Panic: Quick Guide To Lubbock Emergency Sirens

It's that time of the month again where the City of Lubbock is testing its emergency sirens. It's important to know when these tests take place so you don't assume the worst when the massive horns start blaring across the city.

Lubbock Outdoor Warning Sirens

If you want to sound cool around your friends, you can call it the OWS, but the Outdoor Warning System is designed to notify citizens of incoming hazards. In order to keep these sirens in tip-top shape, they are all tested once every month.

It's a good thing to remember that Lubbock outdoor sirens are tested every second Friday of the month between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. In our case, the test will take place tomorrow, July 10, at 9:30 a.m.

Oh, and I hope you are ready, because each test lasts three minutes. Am I the only one who thinks they sound so eerie, like we're about to be visited by Martians?

Anyways, here's a map of where the sirens are located throughout the city. Sorry if you happen to live right next to one...

If, however, you do live close to a siren, then you may also notice the 'growl' test that goes off once per week for just a couple seconds at a time. This is just to make sure the components are all working properly.

And that's the whole purpose of these monthly tests: to keep the backup batteries in condition and to troubleshoot any issues before severe weather season.

When Is the Warning System Triggered For Real?

If you hear the sirens going off in Lubbock on, say, a random Tuesday outside of the scheduled tests, then you know it's getting real.

Examples of events that will trigger the Outdoor Warning System include the following:

The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for any portion of the city
A tornado has been observed by a spotter in the city
A nearby tornado will likely move toward the city
A severe thunderstorm warning with wind speeds expected to exceed 90 miles per hour

Other than these instances, you're good to ignore the sirens on Fridays between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Summer Activities That Land Lubbock Kids In The ER

We all want to have fun in the summer; however, some summer activities lead to more ER visits than others. Here's a look at what ER doctors are seeing in the hospital, and how to make these activities safer.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven

18 Places That Made Growing Up in Lubbock Awesome

How many of these cool spots in Lubbock did you hang out as a kid?

Gallery Credit: Chrissy Covington

Local Lubbock Places That Offer Great Seafood Boils

Looking to get messy? Start cracking and peeling for these local Lubbock places to grab a seafood boil. *Note: Some businesses may be seasonal in nature.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven

Filed Under: city of lubbock