The city of Aurora Office of Emergency Management will conduct an audible test of the city’s emergency outdoor warning sirens at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 12. The test will include more than 50 sirens throughout Aurora. If you are outdoors, you should hear a 3-minute wailing sound. There will be no voice heard during the test, and the sirens may not be audible indoors.

The city conducts audible tests of the sirens twice a year (in March and November), and silent testing weekly year-round. The next audible test is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12.

The purpose of these all-hazards sirens is to provide notice regarding an emergency situation, such as a tornado warning or hazardous-material spill. There is no “all-clear” tone that sounds when the situation has been resolved or mitigated. Instead, any tone coming from the sirens should be viewed as a call to immediately take shelter and seek additional information via weather radio, local TV and radio, or the city’s Facebook (Facebook.com/AuroraGov) and X/Twitter (@AuroraGov) accounts. In the event of an emergency, both residents and businesses should use the information available to make a determination as to when the threat has passed. It should be noted that sirens will be re-activated in the event a new warning or a new threat arises.

To receive emergency alerts directly on your phone and/or email, sign up for CodeRED, the city's emergency alert provider. Visit AuroraGov.org/AlertAurora to find out more.

For more information about the outdoor warning sirens and to hear an example of the siren wail, go to AuroraGov.org/OEM.