Emergency Managers: don't rely only on sirens

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Emergency managers from Sioux Falls and Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties banded together today to remind residents not to rely solely on outdoor warning sirens during a tornado warning.

Regan  Smith says the sirens sound when the national weather service issues a warning.

Smith says given the nature of a severe storm you may not be able to hear the siren so he advises getting a NOAA Weather Radio or one of many apps that can be used on your smartphone'             

Smith says the sirens do not sound an all clear when the weather passes.  He says Sioux Falls is covered by 75 emergency sirens.

He also says that it's important for families to have a plan for sheltering at any time of the day or location and they should be practiced.