The City of Ann Arbor has decided to retain and invest in its outdoor warning siren system.

We’re grateful for the thoughtful input shared by thousands of community members about the sirens and the city's other emergency warning tools.

Staff are continuing to review all submitted comments and are writing a report summarizing what we heard and how it will inform future siren maintenance and operations. That will be shared here soon.

But given the heightened community interest following the sirens’ activation overnight on April 15 for a tornado warning, we want to share this update now: the outdoor warning sirens are staying in place.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe — Ann Arbor Alerts Explained

A2 Emergency Alerts (Opt-In)

Sign up to receive informational and lower-threat alerts, such as snow emergency parking bans.

• Delivered by text, email, or phone
• Can be targeted to specific areas of the city
• Sign up: a2gov.org/alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts (Automatic)

Sent to all compatible cell phones in an affected area — no sign-up required.

• Used for urgent, life-threatening emergencies
• Examples: tornado warnings, severe storms, hazardous material incidents
• Issued by the National Weather Service and Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office
• Include clear instructions with distinctive tones and vibrations

Outdoor Warning Sirens

Sirens are designed to get your attention when you’re outside. They are brief. They do not sound for the duration of the threat.

• When you hear a siren, go indoors immediately
• Then check radio, TV, or other news sources for more information
• From March through October, the sirens are tested the second Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. with a one-minute wail.