Severe Weather Information

Pittsburg Kansas

Emergency Alerts

Mobile Weather Alert Apps

Local weather alerts can be downloaded straight to your mobile device. The following weather apps are available to download.

Apple

• KOAM/FOX14
• KSN/KODETV
• National Weather Service

Google Play

• KOAM/FOX14
• KSN/KODETV
• National Weather Service

NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio

NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service (NWS) office. This service broadcasts official NWS warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Secure a NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology to provide dependable indoor warning information to your family. A weather alert radio receiver can be purchased from a variety of retail stores at a reasonable cost.  These receivers are silent until a warning is issued by the National Weather Service, at which time they give out a loud alarm sound, followed by the specific warning message.  The weather alert radios can easily be configured to warn the hearing and visually impaired.

Local Television Stations

Stay tuned to local television stations for the latest news coverage, weather forecasting and severe weather notifications.

• Tune in to KOAM (channel 7), FOX 14 (channel 14) or go to weather.koamtv.com.
• Watch KODE (channel 12), KSNF 16 (channel 16) or visit fourstateshomepage.com/weather.

National Weather Service – Springfield, MO

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Springfield, MO, provides severe weather alerts for our region. To learn more about NWS or to find additional resources, visit weather.gov/sgf.

Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Pittsburg currently operates and maintains 13 outdoor storm warning sirens.  These sirens are strategically located throughout the city to provide for maximum notification in the event of severe weather.

Should severe weather occur, the sirens are activated by radio frequency through the Police Dispatch Communication System located at the Pittsburg Law Enforcement Center.  Sirens are designed to serve as a warning for people outside of their business or residence, and are meant to direct citizens to go indoors during an emergency or threat of severe weather. You may not be able to hear the sirens indoors or during an actual event due to high winds and weather conditions.

Siren Activation

The storm sirens shall be sounded when the following conditions exist:

• When a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service and there is an indication by radar that the City of Pittsburg is in the projected path of the storm, or there is general expectation that the City of Pittsburg is in imminent danger.
• When the City of Pittsburg is in the path of a storm where a tornado has been spotted by trained weather spotters.
• When a tornado is spotted by a trained visual weather spotter in the close proximity or immediate area so that the City of Pittsburg could receive damage.

Siren Testing

Weather permitting, monthly audio testing of the sirens is conducted on the first Wednesday of every month at noon during the months of April through October to ensure the sirens are operational.  Should the weather not be favorable, the siren test will not be conducted in an effort to avoid confusion between the test and an actual severe weather event.

The sirens will be sounded twice; once should be a continuous tone for storm warnings and the second should be an on/off tone for Civil Emergency.  Audio testing is in addition to the silent weekly testing performed by the City throughout the year to ensure the proper functioning of the siren system.

There will not be an all-clear siren because it can create confusion.  The City will have spotters at each of the 13 siren locations, but encourages citizens of the community to contact the City if a siren is not functioning properly.

Report Siren Outages

During regular business hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, call either the Public Utilities Office at (620) 240-5126 or the Traffic & Communications Division at (620) 230-5670.  After hours and on weekends, call the Pittsburg Police Department at (620) 231-1700.

In the Event of a Real Emergency

It is imperative that you remain aware of the potential for severe weather, especially during the spring and fall storm seasons.  By remaining alert, you can anticipate severe weather and possible watches or warnings before they happen.  If the potential for severe weather exists:

• Be prepared
• Remain calm and seek shelter immediately in an interior room, away from windows and exterior walls
• Monitor your local radio or television stations for updates or listen to your weather alert radio
• Listen to the instructions and take necessary actions to protect yourself and your family
• Remain indoors until the emergency has ended unless told otherwise
• Only call 911 in case of an actual emergency or when no information is being broadcast