Severe Weather

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Outdoor Warning Sirens are not meant to be the main source of weather warning indoors.
  • Hanover Park currently has six Outdoor Warning Sirens, including one that is shared with Streamwood.
  • Our Outdoor Warning Sirens are tested on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 10am for one minute.
  • Hanover Park will often hear our neighboring sirens being tested. Due to advancements in siren technology, newer sirens tend to have a wider range of warning.
  • When the sirens stop, that does not mean the threat is over. Monitor social media or local news for the All-Clear notification.
  • The sirens will sound for 3 minutes during a Tornado Warning and re-activated after 10 minutes if the threat is still present.  
  • The National Weather Service does not have the capability to take over the radio airwaves in the Chicagoland area. Your cellphone may be your only way of receiving Tornado notification.
  • The National Weather Service uses criteria to activate these sirens. Which means when you hear a siren, a room full of meteorologists agree that the storm has advanced to a serious level of concern within a few miles of our location.

Did you know?

Storm Ready Logo



The Village of Hanover Park is a Storm Ready certified municipality by the National Weather Service. For additional Severe Weather information for our area, please see:

https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/  

https://www.weather.gov/lot/weatherstory 


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We often associate Severe Weather Hazards with tornados but sometimes, we are more impacted by associated hazards like hail, lightning, wind damage and flooding. It’s important to be aware of severe weather watches, warnings and the associated impacts to protect yourself, your family, and your homes.

wx sirens

WHAT DO THE SIRENS MEAN?

Our outdoor warning sirens can be used to alert for all hazards but most people know them for tornado warnings. Sirens have two settings and it is important to learn the distinction between the two tones.

Alert: A single tone signifying an emergency alert. This signal may be used for an emergency or disaster, including a severe storm, tornado warning (not a tornado watch), earthquake, chemical hazard/hazardous material incident, extreme winds, or biological hazard. Click here to listen to the Alert Siren   

Attack: An up-and-down, rising and falling tone to signify there is a homeland security or attack emergency. This signal would be used if community officials were notified by federal and/or state government officials of an actual or impending attack on the local community. Click here to listen to the Attack Siren  

alert

WHAT is THE difference between a Watch and a warning?

Watch: Be Alert and tune into a weather alerting system including tv, social media, radar or your NOAA weather radio. This means severe storms or tornadoes MAY form and affect your area.

Warning: Take Action! A severe storm or tornado is expected in your area!