Beginning Tuesday, March 4th, the Rochelle’s Severe Weather Siren system will be tested on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 10:00am. The test will consist of the sirens sounding for 30-45 seconds. Please note that the test will not be conducted if threatening weather is present. The system has traditionally been tested on the first Saturday of the month at 10:00am.
The City of Rochelle has eight severe weather warning sirens located in the City limits. The Rochelle sirens are located at Wiscold Drive near Avenue E and Memorial Park, Gary Street near Veteran’s Parkway, Sixth Avenue between Woolf Ct. and 14th Street, on the south side of the First National Bank, Flagg Road near 20th Street, Phill Road near the Baymont and Super 8 motels and at the Rochelle Fire Department. The Creston storm siren is on the Maintenance Building on North Street. The Steward storm siren is located at the Village Hall. These sirens serve a critical role in public notification of severe weather, especially for people in the outdoors.
In the event of imminent severe weather, the sirens will sound for approximately 3 minutes. If you hear the alarm sound, please seek shelter indoors as quickly as possible. Citizens are encouraged to keep a battery-operated radio in a safe, sheltered place. In the event of an emergency, essential information will be broadcast on FM 102.3 WRHL and AM 1060 WRHL. It is important to note that these sirens will never be sounded to indicate “all is clear.” If multiple alarms are sounded during an event they should be considered an indication of further severe weather. Please refrain from contacting local fire and police when the alarm system is activated unless you have an emergency. In the event of a weather emergency, local responders will likely be inundated with emergency calls.
All are also strongly encouraged to purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio which transmits continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service station. The NOAA radio may provide more advanced warning of severe weather than the local alarm system. Many smartphone applications, online sites and Rockford television stations also provide severe weather alert information to users. Redundant systems offer the best protection against being caught off-guard. Please don’t wait for the sirens to be aware of dangerous weather. Stay safe!