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Weather Alert Radios

Emergency Service Disaster Agency

The City of Rock Falls Emergency Service Disaster Agency is strictly a volunteer organization dedicated to help protect the citizens from natural and manmade disasters that may strike in the City of Rock Falls.

Responsibilities

  1. Severe weather Spotting
  2. Maintaining Outdoor Warning sirens
  3. Assisting in storm damage response
  4. Flood pumping and sandbagging
  5. Public awareness events
  6. Maintain Emergency Operations Plan
  7. Act as liaison with county, state, and federal emergency management officials

Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Rock Falls currently operates seven outdoor warning sirens, three in the city limits and four in the rural fire district. You must be prepared to take protective measures for yourself and your family immediately when these sirens are activated. These sirens will be activated for the following reasons,

  1. A confirmed sighting of a tornado, or funnel cloud by a trained spotter within five miles of the community.
  2. A confirmed sighting, by a trained spotter, of severe winds causing structural damage within five miles of the community.
  3. A tornado warning, issued by the National Weather Service, indicating that the community is in the direct path of an oncoming tornado. (The five mile perimeter is extended geographically around the rural fire protection district of the community.)

Severe weather watches, whether severe thunderstorm or tornado, are traditionally issued for period of four (4) to six (6) hours. The Weather Service may terminate a "watch" early if weather conditions change and the threat of severe weather no longer exists.

Severe weather warnings, whether severe thunderstorm or tornado, are traditionally issued for periods of thirty (30) minutes to one (1) hour. Warnings are usually allowed to expire on their own, without early termination by the Weather Service.

OUTDOOR SIREN LOCATIONS

The siren activation area is located at the Rock Falls Fire Department. The locations of the seven sirens are as follows:    

1. Fire Station   (city limits) (In service)
2. W 19th St. and 12th Ave (city limits) (In service)
3. Ave C and E.7th St. (city limits) (Out of Service)
4. East Coloma School (rural district)  (In service)
5. Dixon Ave and Harbor Drive (rural district) (In service)
6. Riverdale School    (rural district) (In service)
7. Nelson School (rural district) (In service)

TESTING

Testing will be done every Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. between the months of March and September.

Testing will go down to the first Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. of every month between the months of October and February.

SECONDS SAVE LIVES!!

The National Weather Service broadcasts watches, warnings and forecasts as well as other hazard information 24 hours a day. We strongly recommend that every home be equipped with an alerting style NOAA Weather Radio.

HOW TO PURCHASE A RADIO

To purchase a weather alert radio you can stop at your local electronics store or stop at City Hall and purchase a weather alert radio from the Agency. We stock Midland SAME Digital Weather / All Hazard Alert Monitor specific area message encoder radios for the price of $43.00.

When you purchase a NOAA Weather Radio receiver, you are purchasing part of the National Weather Service Network. Our frequency for the Sterling-Rock Falls area is 162.525 and the Whiteside County code is 017195.

If you have any questions or would like to purchase a weather radio contact the Agency at 622-1115.

 

 

 

603 W. 10th Street • Rock Falls, Illinois 61071 • 815.622.1100
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©2005 City of Rock Falls, Illinois

Last updated
04/18/2007 12:25:08 PM

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