What does it mean when I hear the outdoor warning sirens? In short, it means that something life-threatening is happening and you should go indoors and get more information. The specific guidelines (tornado, hail ,wind, etc.)

What does it mean when a siren goes off in your town?

Outdoor Warning Sirens exist to warn you to take immediate life-saving action. Sirens are often your LAST official warning, coming only minutes before a violent storm hits. You should understand that Outdoor Warning Sirens warn people who are OUTSIDE that there is immediate danger.

Why do sirens randomly go off?

Some KCCI viewers also wonder why the weather sirens randomly start and stop throughout the duration of a storm. It turns out, that's by design. The sirens operate on battery power in case the electricity goes out.