By Scott Harvey
Commerce, Greenville – With severe weather threatening the region throughout the week and more storms likely as the season continues, officials are reminding citizens to be aware of warning sirens in your area.
The outdoor warning system for the City of Commerce and Texas A&M University-Commerce activates when destructive winds are measured in excess of 70 mph, a tornado is reported by a weather spotter or public official and/or upon recommendation from the National Weather Service.
The sirens in Commerce are also tested once a month, which will now take place on the first Wednesday of the month. The change is in accordance with the National Weather Service's recommendations for outdoor warning systems. Previously, the testing day was the first Tuesday of every month. The first date that the new test occurs will be April 1st. Testing only occurs if weather permits.
It is also recommended that all local residences and places of business have a NOAA weather radio for notification of significant weather events while indoors. Students, faculty and staff of Texas A&M-Commerce are encouraged to sign up for the Pride Alert Warning System and local Commerce residents can sign up for the IRIS emergency notification system.
The City of Greenville has seven warning sirens to alert residents in the event of inclement weather. Those sirens are tested the first Thursday of every month.
The City also uses the CodeRED automatic telephone notification system to warn citizens of major weather events.
Residents outside the Commerce/Greenville area, please check with your respective city on the types of emergency warning systems in place to better protect yourself during severe weather.