Full Notification

Outdoor Warning Sirens will be tested in Oak Grove, Bates City, and most cities and counties in the metro Kansas City area this Wednesday morning September 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM. The first Wednesday of the month at 11:00 AM is the regular date and time when most of the Kansas City metro area tests outdoor warning sirens and other warning systems.

In Oak Grove a severe thunderstorm watch or tornado watch is announced by voice message using the public address ability of the sirens. These announcements are repeated three times. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings where wind is expected to be less than 80 miles per hour are also announced by a voice announcement, repeated three times. A tornado warning, a severe thunderstorm warning where winds are expected to exceed 80 miles per hour, or other emergencies such as a serious hazardous material release, where immediate action is needed including evacuation or sheltering in place is signaled by 3 to 5 minutes of siren, a public address announcement, 3 to 5 minutes of siren, a public address announcement, etc. In a tornado warning, this alternating message would continue for the duration of the severe weather threat. If you cannot hear the Outdoor Warning System inside your home, please consider purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio and/or signing up for free mobile phone text and/or email alerts at www.Nixle.com or the Nixle/Everbridge phone app on your mobile phone app store.  NOAA Weather Radios will also be tested today at 11 AM and 7 PM.  

In Bates City an emergency is indicated by 3 to 5 minutes of nearly steady siren.  If the siren sounds, stops, and sounds again, it means that the emergency is continuing.  The siren in Bates City is not used to sound an "All Clear."    The siren actually means "Go inside a sturdy structure, and use NOAA Weather Radio, Nixle, local broadcast television, or the internet to seek further information about the emergency.

Remember, a WATCH means that conditions are favorable for severe weather and you should WATCH for further information and signs of severe weather.  A WARNING means that severe weather is occurring in your immediate area and action to protect your life is needed immediately.  The public address capability of the sirens is also used to announce when the Community Severe Storm Shelter at Oak Grove High School Performing Arts Center is opening or is closing.

More information is available on Emergency Management tab on the City of Oak Grove web page  or by calling Oak Grove - Sni Valley Emergency Management at 816-690-3773 Ext 1105 or by visiting the Oak Grove - Sni Valley Emergency Management Office at 1903 South Broadway, Oak Grove.

Instructions:

Please use this opportunity to review your personal and family emergency action plan for the various emergencies that may confront our community.