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One of a network of storm sirens are seen Friday atop Guymon City Hall.
The city will be testing the sirens next Friday morning, July, 25th 2008.
Photo courtesy Shawn Yorks, Guymon Daily Herald
A tornado is spotted approaching Guymon and the people need to know. And even though storm warnings are being broadcast on the radio and television and via the city's notification system, not everybody is going to get the warning.
That's where the city's last line of defense comes in: the network of warning sirens positioned throughout the city.
But what happens if one or all of those warning sirens doesn't work?
That's why the city routinely tests the sirens. The next test is planned for the morning of July 25.
"We need to keep those sirens going because they sit so long," said Texas County Emergency Management Director Harold Tyson. "We have to start testing them more so when we really do need them, they're ready."
A time next Friday hasn't been set, but the sirens will not be tested if there are clouds in the sky or threatening weather.
And if the sirens don't work? "We get them repaired," Tyson said. "We haven't done that in quite awhile."
Tyson said he is awaiting approval of a grant to add two more sirens to the city's arsenal.
"We know we need one out in industrial park and we're looking at either replacing the old one at the Elks or putting another one out farther west of there."
Tyson emphasized this is just one of the tools the city utilizes to warn people of severe weather.
"These are just outdoor warnings," he said. "A lot of times you're at your house and you can't hear (the sirens). It's just another tool we use to warn people so we have to make sure they keep working."
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