Town of Flower Mound, Texas

2121 Cross Timbers Road
Flower Mound, Texas 75028
972.874.6000

For service requests or questions, email
townhall@flower-mound.com
or call 972.539.SERV. After hours, please call 972.539.0525.

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Emergency Management

Severe Weather and Outdoor Warning Siren Information

Learning to prepare for and respond to severe weather is a reality for those living in North Texas. When severe weather happens, it is imperative that an action plan is in place and every resident has a clear understanding of the Outdoor Early Warning System’s siren alerts. The following information describes several common severe weather situations and outlines criteria the Town utilizes to implement the Outdoor Early Warning System.

Tornados

Tornados can occur at any time of year, but spring and summer are considered tornado season in Texas. They can happen at any time of day, but are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 p.m. These tips will help keep you and your family safe in the event of a tornado.

In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter such as an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Seek shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture if available.

Stay away from windows.

Don’t try to outrun a tornado in your car.

Mobile homes do not provide safe shelter.

If in a vehicle or if no shelter is available, exit the vehicle, find the most low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine, lay flat on your stomach, and cover your head with your hands.

When a tornado watch or warning has been issued, look out for a dark, often greenish sky, a wall cloud, large hail, and a loud roar, similar to a train.

Flash Flooding

Flooding is one emergency that can truly happen in a flash. These flash flood safety tips can help keep you and your family safe when the spring rains come.

Get out of areas subject to flooding such as dips, low spots, and ditches.

Avoid already flooded and high-velocity flow areas and don’t attempt to cross a flowing stream. Never drive through flooded roadways in case the road bed is no longer in tact.

If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.

Be cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Don’t camp or park your vehicle along streams particularly during threatening conditions.

Severe Thunderstorm and Lightning

Lightning is extremely dangerous and kills more people each year than tornados. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, so you need to be prepared.

If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning – find safe shelter immediately.

Move to a sturdy building and stay away from the windows.

If a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hardtop vehicle and keep the windows up.

Get out of boats and away from water.

Unplug appliances and avoid using the telephone except in an emergency.

Hail

Large hail stones can fall at speeds faster than 100 mph, making it essential that you know what to do when hailstorm conditions are present. The tips below can help keep you safe during a hail storm.

If weather conditions are prime for a storm, move cars, boats, RVs, and lawn and patio furniture into a covered area.

During a storm, seek shelter. Hail of any size can be dangerous.

Surfaces may become slick, so use caution if outside.

When driving into a hailstorm, find a safe place to pull over and turn your car so the hail is hitting the windshield. The safety glass will protect you. The hail could break the glass in other windows.

Winter Weather

Although Texas is mainly known for its hot and humid summer days, the winter months can be just as challenging. The winter weather safety tips below can help keep you safe and warm.

Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing instead of one heavy layer of clothing.

Ensure that your heating source is working properly and well ventilated.

Avoid driving on overpasses and bridges.

Winterize your car.

Winterize your pipes.

Extreme Heat

Hot Texas summer months can be very dangerous without proper precaution. The tips below can help keep you safe during extreme heat.

Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Use a SPF 15 or higher sunscreen.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic and caffeine-free fluids.

Install window air conditioners snugly and insulate if necessary.

Check air conditioning ducts for proper insulation.

Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.

* Tips courtesy of KnoWhat2Do – Department of Homeland Security

Outdoor Warning Sirens

Outdoor Early Warning System

The Town of Flower Mound Outdoor Early Warning System consists of eleven outdoor warning sirens located throughout the Town that are designed to inform residents who are outside of a possible emergency. The sirens may be activated individually or in small groups for a localized emergency or they all may be activated simultaneously for a town-wide emergency. The Outdoor Warning Sirens are part of an emergency system designed to provide immediate and valuable information to citizens. The system is not designed to alert those who are within a home or other structure.

What to Do if the Sirens are activated

If you hear the sirens while you are outside, please go inside and seek shelter immediately and refer to a television or radio for further instructions. Please do not call 9-1-1 for severe weather information. Call 9-1-1 only to report life-threatening situations. To see siren locations and ranges, please refer to the Emergency Siren Locations Map.

Siren Alerts

The sirens produce a different sound depending upon the nature of the emergency. The following descriptions provide information on the different sounds and associated function of the Outdoor Early Warning System sirens.

Storms

The siren will produce a steady tone signal for 3 minutes. The sound will have a natural decrease/increase due to the rotation of the siren head. The sirens will only be initiated in the case of severe weather directly threatening Flower Mound as reported by the National Weather Service, a storm spotter, or a Town employee that meets at least one of the following criteria.

Rotation in a dangerous cloud or a tornado
Straight-line winds over 70 mph
Reported hail of 1.25” in diameter or greater. (1 inch may be more appropriate for areas or events where large numbers of people are outdoors)

Hazardous Materials Incident

The siren will produce a slow wailing tone with 16 seconds of sound followed by 8 seconds of silence. The sound will have a natural decrease/increase due to the rotation of the siren head. Siren activation will occur if there is a significant hazardous materials incident which poses a threat to human health that will require evacuation or sheltering-in-place.

Enemy or Terrorist Attack

The siren will produce a fast wailing tone with 6 seconds on and 6 seconds off. The sound will have a natural decrease/increase due to the rotation of the siren head. Siren activation will occur if the Town is subject to an enemy or terrorist attack.

Siren Testing

The Early Warning System is silently tested every day to ensure that the system is functioning correctly. Audible tests of the system are performed on the first Wednesday of every month at 12:55 p.m., weather permitting.