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1. What triggers weather siren activation?

• Tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service
• Tornado or funnel cloud reported by local authorities
• Severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service when wind speed is expected to meet or exceed 70 mph
• A request from the local agency to sound the sirens.
• Hazardous materials or other dangerous incidents.

2. Who activates weather sirens?

Sirens are activated by supervisors at the Dakota Communications Center (DCC) based on the criteria.

3. Are weather sirens activated county-wide?

If the weather warning includes all of Dakota County, the sirens will sound countywide. Sirens can also be activated by zones or by individual cities within Dakota County as determined by information the DCC receives from the National Weather Service or local officials.

4. How long do the sirens run during a warning activation?

The sirens automatically shut off after three minutes.