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Does Charlotte have tornado sirens?
Mecklenburg County emergency leaders say they focus on modern alert systems for residents.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As severe weather sweeps across the region and much of the country, many in Mecklenburg County are asking the same question: Are there tornado sirens in place to warn residents?
Our Verify team breaks down how the county handles alerts.
OUR SOURCES:
THE ANSWER:
No, Mecklenburg County does not have tornado sirens.
WHAT WE FOUND:
According to the National Weather Service, tornado sirens are part of an outdoor warning system designed to alert people that dangerous weather is approaching. However, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management confirms that while sirens do exist in the county, they are not used for tornado warnings. Instead, they are designated for emergencies related to the Duke Energy nuclear stations.
In the absence of tornado sirens, Mecklenburg County uses the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts to notify the public of severe weather and other threats. The Emergency Alert System broadcasts warnings via television and radio, while Wireless Emergency Alerts deliver public safety messages, weather threats and AMBER Alerts directly to mobile phones.
The National Weather Service cautions against relying solely on sirens, emphasizing that the best way to stay safe is through multiple sources of information, including local media and official alert systems.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.