Pella Reminds Residents of Outdoor Warning System Regulations

City updates siren policies during Severe Weather Awareness Week

Mar. 23, 2026 at 2:55pm

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The Pella Police Department is informing residents about changes to the city's outdoor warning siren system, including when the sirens will sound and the new testing schedule. The system is designed to alert those outdoors to potential dangers, not provide indoor coverage.

Why it matters

Severe weather can pose a serious threat to public safety, so it's important for residents to understand how Pella's outdoor warning system works and when to take shelter based on siren activations.

The details

Pella's outdoor warning sirens will now sound for tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings with 70 mph winds or golf ball-sized hail. The sirens will cycle for 3 minutes, followed by a 10-15 minute break, until the threat has passed. There will no longer be an 'all clear' signal, so residents should monitor local media for updates. Monthly siren tests will continue on the first Saturday at noon, unless severe weather is imminent.

  • The new siren policies went into effect in 2020.
  • Pella performs monthly siren tests on the first Saturday of each month at noon.

The players

Marcia Slycord

Administrative Services Manager for the Pella Police Department.

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What they’re saying

“The sirens in Pella are part of an outdoor, all-hazards siren system that is used to warn citizens of potential danger in a short amount of time, and is designed to provide coverage to those outdoors--not anyone inside.”

— Marcia Slycord, Administrative Services Manager

What’s next

Residents should contact the Pella Police Department if they are outdoors within the city limits and cannot hear a siren during an activation.

The takeaway

Pella's updated outdoor warning system is an important public safety tool, but residents need to understand its limitations and be prepared to seek shelter and monitor local media when the sirens sound.