03-04-2025
Some tornado siren batteries drained due to extended severe weather event, OEM says
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some tornado sirens in Nashville have reportedly encountered issues due to the extended severe weather event in Tennessee.
The Nashville Office of Emergency Management's (OEM) Outdoor Tornado Warning Siren System saw some sirens' batteries drain, rendering them inoperable temporarily, according to OEM Public Information Officer Joseph Pleasant.
In a news release, Pleasant said multiple siren sites activated as the National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings for the Nashville areas. However, the continued tornado warnings and sounding of the sirens drained the batteries in the sirens themselves.
Continued severe weather expected through Thursday
Once the batteries died, the sirens stopped sounding, according to Pleasant. In areas where there were power outages, the sirens did not start to recharge until electricity was restored.
One siren, Siren #51 Parmer Park on Leake Avenue, had a communications failure, Pleasant said. A repair team will need to visit the site in order to repair the siren. There is not currently an estimate for when that repair will happen, according to OEM.
Importantly, the OEM reminded residents the outdoor tornado warning siren system is only one method of receiving alerts to dangerous weather conditions.
Additionally, the OEM urged residents to remember the sirens are designed to be heard outdoors and are not intended to be audible inside homes or buildings.
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It is crucial for individuals and families to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. OEM encourages the community to stay informed through various channels, including local news, weather apps, and NOAA weather radios.
As the OEM works to restore the siren system, community members are urged to remain vigilant and prepared for severe weather events.
Don't forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app.
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