How does the outdoor warning system work?
The outdoor sirens are sounded during severe weather if there is a tornado warning issued for any part of Mason City by the National Weather Service; or they are sounded if a tornado is spotted by a public safety employee or by a trained spotter and the tornado is a threat to Mason City. There is no such thing as an “all clear” signal. The sirens are tested on the first Monday of each month in the morning. Please do not call the police department during severe weather unless you need to report an emergency. Severe weather events are often very busy times in our dispatch center. If you hear a outdoor warning siren, please take shelter immediately.
