Outdoor Warning Devices

Pratt County will activate the Outdoor Warning Devices when the National Weather Service office issues a Tornado Warning and/or one of the counties trained severe weather spotters identifies a tornado. The devices will only be activated for those locations located within the warning area. The devices can be activated from either the Pratt County Law Enforcement Center, the county Emergency Operations Center or Pratt County Emergency Services.

PRATT COUNTY DOES NOT SOUND AN ALL CLEAR AFTER THE DEVICES HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED.  IF YOU HEAR THE DEVICES AGAIN, THIS INDICATES THE THREAT IS STILL THERE OR A NEW THREAT IS HAPPENING. REMAIN IN YOUR SHELTER.

There are currently 14 outdoor warning devices in Pratt County that can be activated either individually or groups. Each of the smaller towns in Pratt County have an outdoor warning devices, as well as devices located at Skyline Schools, Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks headquarters and the City of Pratt has six sirens.

With the exception of the City of Pratt, all devices in the county are tested weekly on Mondays at noon. If the weather is overcast or storms are present the devices will not be tested.

The City of Pratt will test their devices according to the following schedule:

• March through October: Weekly at noon each Monday
• November through February: Only on a Monday when the weather is clear and a tornado  event is indicated.
• The City of Pratt will also only test the devices when the temperature is above 30 degrees.