The weekly tests are conducted to test the operation of the sirens and to familiarize the citizens with the sound of the siren, should a tornado ever strike.
Tornado sirens have been installed to alert the citizens of Lancaster who may be outdoors during the time a tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service for Lancaster or Fairfield County. The sirens are not intended to alert people indoors during a warning. It is highly recommended that each residence, business, school and church purchase weather alert radios that are automatically activated during severe weather occurrences.
If the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Lancaster or Fairfield County, the sirens will sound continuously for 3 minutes. The sirens will then silence for 7 minutes and again sound for 3 minutes. This cycle will continue throughout the warning time period.
When the warning has expired or has been canceled, the sirens will silence.
Note: There is no all clear signal or sound, when the warning has been canceled or the warning time has expired.