Weather warnings sound

After Albany’s emergency siren went off on two consecutive days earlier this month, Volunteer Fire Chief Joel Viertel felt it would be a good time to remind local citizens of what the signals mean.

The severe weather warning, which consists of a constant wail three minutes in duration, sounded about 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 when there was a thunderstorm in the area that warranted the warning.

There was golf ball size hail in the northern parts of town and smaller hail in other locations, but the storm blew through quickly with no significant damage reported.

The same siren was accidentally sounded the next day, and even though there was no storm in sight, it put some residents on edge.

Viertel commented that Albany citizens should be aware of what the three different signals mean.

SEVERE WEATHER

WARNING

Constant wail

3 minutes

FIRE DANGER

10 seconds up

10 seconds down

2 minutes

FLOOD DANGER

30 seconds on

30-second break

30 seconds on

2 minutes