Outdoor Emergency Sirens

The Village's warning siren system is used to advise residents to take specific actions. These actions include preparation for dangerous conditions and the announcement of snow removal phases. There are three distinguishable tones which follow the Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines.

Siren Testing

Sirens are tested in Skokie on the first Tuesday of each month for one minute at 10 a.m. A steady tone is used for testing.

Attention or Alert

This signals weather and other emergencies. Example conditions include tornado warnings for winds over 70 miles per hour or in the event of a hazardous materials incident. The siren tone is steady, lasting approximately three minutes. In the event of a warning signal siren, please seek shelter and tune in to 1660 AM Skokie, the Skokie website or local radio or television stations.

Alternate-Side Parking Notice

This signal alerts residents of Alternate-Side Parking snow removal, and will sound after two inches or more of snow accumulation. The siren tone is a slow high-to-low wail tone for approximately one and a half minutes. In the event of Alternate-Side Parking, all residents must park on the even side of the street on even-numbered days and the odd side of the street on odd-numbered dates. Click here for more information. Alternate-Side Parking procedures run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Attack Warning

An attack warning is for a national emergency and will only sound when a serious national emergency is detected. The siren tone is rapid, high to low wail for approximately three minutes. In the instance of an attack warning, residents should seek shelter and tune in to 1660 AM Skokie, the Skokie website or local radio or television stations.