Severe Weather Preparedness

With spring and summer comes the threat of severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes. Will you be ready if severe weather strikes East Peoria?

Severe Storm
  1. Tornado Sirens
  2. Personal Preparedness
  3. ESDA

Tornado Sirens

East Peoria currently has 14 outdoor early warning sirens. The five oldest sirens are the rotating style. The nine newest sirens are an omni-directional, stacked speaker style. All sirens have battery back-up systems and are activated by East Peoria Telecommunications Center personnel.

View Tornado Siren Locations (PDF)

Siren Use

Sirens will be activated only if East Peoria, Creve Coeur, Morton, Washington or Peoria is listed as a City in a storm's path. In years past, sirens were activated if a storm was located anywhere in Tazewell County. East Peoria's policy reduces the number of false alarms for city residents. As a result, when East Peorians hear the sirens they will know a storm is approaching quickly and should take cover.

Testing

All the sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., as long as Tazewell County is not under any severe weather advisory at that time. The monthly test consists of three parts:

  1. Steady blast mode - 30 seconds
  2. Oscillating mode - 30 seconds
  3. Voice message announcement portion

Citizens should remember that the sirens are outside early warning devices.