ROCHELLE — The City of Rochelle will conduct its monthly emergency warning siren test today at 10 a.m. The sirens are part of an all-hazards system designed to alert the public to emergencies such as tornado warnings, chemical hazards, or other life-threatening events. If sirens sound outside of this scheduled test, residents should take shelter and tune in to local media for instructions. Officials remind residents not to call 911 unless there is an actual emergency.
Officials remind residents that outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outside that dangerous conditions are occurring or imminent, and are not used only for tornadoes. Sirens may be activated for tornado warnings, confirmed sightings by trained spotters or law enforcement, or severe storms producing winds of 70 miles per hour or greater or golf ball-sized hail, and are typically only reactivated if those conditions are confirmed during an ongoing warning. Residents are urged to seek shelter immediately when sirens sound, avoid calling 9-1-1 for information, and rely on multiple alert sources such as mobile notifications, local media, and NOAA weather radios.