The City of Bismarck is installing three outdoor warning sirens in north Bismarck to provide outdoor warning coverage in areas of city growth. The additional sirens will provide outdoor warning coverage in areas of outdoor activity including new schools, parks and residential areas in north Bismarck.
On Friday morning, July 28, at 9:30 AM, as part of the outdoor warning siren test, the new siren in northwest Bismarck (Siren #25) will be operational. Sirens #26 and #27 are anticipated to be operational in August.
Bismarck Emergency Management has been allocated $84,000 in hazard mitigation grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the assistance of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. The grant funds will provide 85 percent of the project funding for the purchase and installation of the outdoor warning sirens. Fifteen percent is funded by the City of Bismarck. The location of these new sirens, as well as existing sirens within the City of Bismarck, are made possible by cooperating entities allowing the placement of sirens on their property through easements or other agreements.
The locations of the new sirens are labeled as #25, #26, and #27 on the siren coverage map.
The City of Bismarck has also relocated Siren #2 from the Provident Life Building downtown to a more strategic location along Main Avenue west of 12th Street. The new location will provide better coverage to parks and manufactured homes. The City’s outdoor warning sirens have an estimated one-mile radius of coverage.
“Outdoor warning sirens are intended to be heard outdoors, not indoors,” said Bismarck Emergency Manager Gary Stockert. “However, you may hear them indoors depending on how close you are to a specific siren, as well as other factors. To receive warnings while indoors, you should consider additional warning and notification methods such as the NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, your favorite mobile weather apps, and local media.”
Outdoor warning sirens are one method used to alert citizens of a current or potential emergency. Providing a "tornado warning" is a typical use, but outdoor warning sirens may be used for other emergencies as well. When the sirens sound, go indoors, seek shelter, and monitor local media and all hazards NOAA Weather Radio.
During tornado events, the Outdoor Warning Sirens will be sounded when a confirmed funnel or tornado has been spotted within a 10-mile approach of the community, or the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for eastern Morton and southwest Burleigh Counties to include the Cities of Mandan and Bismarck and/or Lincoln.
For more information about local hazards and preparedness topics, visit the City's Hazards Preparedness Topics page.