The siren system is capable of producing 6 different tones to
warn of different types of emergencies.

• Alert Tone -Tornado Warning 
• Wail Tone – Severe Thunderstorm Warning
• Air Horn – All Clear
• Whoop Tone – Hazardous Materials Release
• Attack Tone – Reserved

TORNADO WARNING:
                                                ATTENTION: A TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED. SEEK
                                                SHELTER NOW. DO NOT DELAY. SEEK SHELTER NOW.
                                                (ALERT TONES 2 MINUTES)

THUNDERSTORM WARNING:
                                                THUNDERSTORM WARNING. LARGE HAIL AND HIGH WIND IS
                                                POSSIBLE. LISTEN TO RADIO AND TV FOR DETAILS. (WAIL TONE)
ALL CLEAR:
                                                ALL CLEAR. THE EMERGENCY IS OVER. ALL CLEAR. THE
                                                EMERGENCY IS OVER. RESUME YOUR NORMAL ACTIVITIES.
                                                ALL CLEAR. (AIR HORN TONE)

TEST:                                    THIS IS A TEST. THIS IS A TEST OF THE COLUMBUS/MUSCOGEE
                                                COUNT OUTDOOR EMERGENCY WARNING SIREN SYSTEM. THIS
                                                IS ONLY A TEST. (ALERT TONE 1 MINUTE) THIS IS ONLY A TEST.
                                                FOLLOWED BY WAIL TONE AND THEN THE AIR HORN TONE)

Policy For Sounding The Outdoor Emergency Warning Sirens:

It is the policy of this City to provide as much warning as possible to the citizens of Columbus whenever reliable notification is received concerning an actual or threatened tornado or other severe weather event this is likely to present a major threat to life or property.

The sirens will be activated under any of the following circumstances:

1. Whenever directed to do so by officials of the Columbus Police Department, National
    Weather Service or the Emergency Management Division.
2. When it is known that Muscogee County has been placed under a Tornado Warning.
3. When any governmental employee reports the sighting of a tornado.
4. When under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning and reliable information is recieved that
    damaging winds (55 mph or higher) have hit or are likely to hit Muscogee County.
5. When directed to do so by any ranking Supervisor of the Columbus Police Department or
    Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services