City of Fort Dodge, Iowa

City of Fort Dodge Government

2 days ago

I would like to address various questions, comments and concerns I have received from Monday s severe weather event.

1. Sirens - Sirens are for OUTDOOR warning. They are not meant or built-out to be heard indoors. Sirens are strategically placed to ensure outdoor coverage, NOT indoors. If that was the purpose, we would need to more than double the amount of sirens we have. You should have multiple ways to receive warnings. (NOAA weather radio, Alert Iowa, Local News apps, etc.). Sirens are not meant to wake you up, as stated before, they are for OUTDOOR warning!
If you hear the siren, that means go indoors and check local weather because severe weather/tornado is imminent.

2. Siren Activation - Sirens are activated for a couple reasons.
--Tornado Warning.
--Severe Thunderstorm with 70mph+ winds and/or Golf ball size hail (1.75').
The EMA Commission approved the addition of wind and hail in 2023, to follow the Iowa Emergency Management Association best practices.
Sirens are only activated within the warned polygon. If the siren is located outside of the warned area, the siren will not go off, unless prompted for a manual activation by authorized personnel.
The siren will sound for 3 minutes during a warning. If the siren activates again, that means a new/updated warning has been issued for the same area. There is NO all clear siren. Each warning has an expiration time, that would be the time that event is outside of the warning criteria.

3. Why did the sirens go off so long before the storm? This storm in particular was moving 50-60mph. The National Weather Service issued the warning well ahead of the storm, to allow people time to check weather, and prepare for what is coming. Therefore, when that Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued with 70mph wind gusts, the sirens were activated immediate upon issuance. Not every instance allows for that much advanced notification.

4. Sirens not as loud as Saturday Test - the siren tone during warnings is just as loud as the Saturday test. The pitch of the siren in the warning is a steady tone, which differs from the wail of the Saturday test.

5. The sirens are another tool for us to use to warn people. We still need the public to be responsible, and take some initiative to understand what to do BEFORE the storm happens, not question what to do when the siren goes off.

If anyone has any further questions, please email dylan.hagen@webstercountyia.gov ... See moreSee less

City of Fort Dodge Government

3 days ago

Had a productive summer clearing out unwanted items with Junk Days on Demand? Don t miss out on the final chance for 2025! The last pickup day is August 14th. Got large items to discard? Schedule your pickup now! Text 'Junk' to (515) 408-9888. Share your decluttering success stories in the comments! Had a productive summer clearing out unwanted items with Junk Days on Demand? Don t miss out on the final chance for 2025! The last pickup day is August 14th. Got large items to discard? Schedule your pickup now! Text 'Junk' to (515) 408-9888. Share your decluttering success stories in the comments! ... See moreSee less

City of Fort Dodge Government

4 days ago

Why are the sirens going off?! The US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa issued a Severe Thunderstorm warning ahead of the incoming storm with wind gusts of 70mph. Our outdoor warning siren policy includes winds of 70mph+. Sirens sound only in the warned area! ... See moreSee less

City of Fort Dodge Government

6 days ago

The agenda for the July 28, 2025, City Council meeting is available online. Council meetings begin at 6:00 pm in City Council Chambers, 819 1st Ave S.

fortdodgeiowa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=11420The agenda for the July 28, 2025, City Council meeting is available online. Council meetings begin at 6:00 pm in City Council Chambers, 819 1st Ave S.

fortdodgeiowa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=11420 ... See moreSee less