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The Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) controls the activation of the storm sirens in Johnson County. The Greenwood Fire Department is a backup activation center for the sirens listed below. These sirens include sirens in the City of Greenwood and also sirens in White River Township and New Whiteland fire districts. Routine testing of the outdoor warning sirens will be conducted every Friday at 11:00 am. Guidelines set forth by Johnson County EMA and the Johnson County Fire Chief’s Association state that the weekly siren test will not take place if there are thunderstorms predicted in the area or during freezing conditions. If you are near one of these sites during a test or actual activation and notice something wrong with the siren, please call Greenwood Fire Headquarters at 317.882.2599.
The siren system has been updated to a 2-way digital system that allows us to monitor the status of the sirens. We have several layers of redundancy that allow us or the Johnson County EMA to activate the sirens.
In the event the Severe Weather Sirens are activated, all citizens and guests of Greenwood should seek immediate shelter and stay tuned to local television and/or radio broadcasts for a continual update of severe weather activity.
Upon the issuance of a TORNADO WARNING by the Indianapolis forecasting office of the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed reports of a tornado sighting or Tornado activity present on their radar, the Severe Weather Sirens will activate and again urge all residents and guests to seek immediate shelter and stay tuned to a local weather broadcast for continued information.
In the event, there is a confirmed TORNADO or FUNNEL CLOUD sighting in Johnson County, the Severe Weather Sirens will be activated and run continuously until the tornado has moved out of the area. Once again, please seek shelter and stay tuned to local weather forecasts for continuous updates. When activated, sirens throughout the entire county will sound; not just the specific area where a tornado is or may be.
Once tornado conditions pass through the area, Johnson County DOES NOT sound an all-clear signal. This has proven to be very confusing to residents of other communities. Local weather broadcasts are your best source of information about severe weather as it approaches and when it passes through our area.
Seeking Shelter from Severe Weather/Tornado
Places of shelter from severe weather will vary greatly depending on facility designs and the availability of designated underground areas of shelter.
The best shelter available is underground. This can be a basement, cellar, storage area or a specifically built severe weather enclosure. Once in an underground area stay away from any windows and away from objects that could become flying projectiles in the event of a tornado.
In the absence of any underground protection, move to the smallest interior room on the ground floor. Examples of these are bathrooms, closets and utility rooms. Again, stay away from any windows and items that could become flying projectiles. Try to cover yourself with a mattress or other solid protective surface. One example that has been successful in the past is to lie in the bathtub covered by a mattress.
If you live in a mobile home, your park management may have a pre-designated shelter area for you. If not, your best shelter is to go to low lying ground such as drainage ditches, swales or other areas below grade. Be careful not to seek shelter in ditches or areas that have moving water, as any severe storm can create flash flooding situations in water runoff areas. In the event you have no alternatives, go to an interior closet or bathroom to seek shelter. Lying in a bathtub with a mattress covering you has proven successful for some people in the past.
In an office environment that lacks underground protection, go to the ground floor and go to an interior closet or bathroom. If this is not an option, your best choice would be position yourself under a desk on the ground floor to protect you from falling and flying objects.
If you are out driving, walking, etc during a tornado, stop your car and go to the lowest lying land available, stay aware of moving water and the potential for flash flooding during severe storms. Another alternative that has been effective shelter for some in the past is interstate overpasses and bridges. Stay underneath and move to the very top of either end of an interstate overpass. Under bridges stay as high as possible underneath the bridge structure, stay away from any rapidly moving water.
More information about the Johnson County Emergency Management agency can be found Here.
Severe Weather Siren Site Locations:
- 1244 Fry Rd - Greenwood Fire Station #92
- 125 N SR 135 - Behind AutoZone
- 899 Honey Creek Rd - Westwood Elementary
- 93 W Stop 18 Rd - Old Greenwood Fire Station #93 Land - South Side of Road
- 307 Elmead Ct - Greenwood Maples Apartments
- 320 S Emerson Ave - Behind Jiffy Lube
- 1218 Cottages Way - North entrance to Apartments
- 755 N Graham Rd - Greenwood Fire Station #94
- 3030 125 W - Pleasant Crossing Elementary
- 5199 W Fairview Rd - Pleasant Grove Elementary
- 1977 S SR 135 - Forest Lawn Memory Gardens
- 7000 W Stones Crossing Rd - Stones Crossing Church
- 5771 W Olive Branch Rd - NE Corner of Saints Francis & Clare
- 4467 W County Line Rd - South of County Line Rd
- 4800 W Stones Crossing Rd - Center Grove Schools Admin
- 1180 Berry Rd - Just north of @ 850N
- 401 Mooreland Dr - Habitat for Humanity - Access on Ball Park Dr
- 1037 Hawthorn Bloom Dr - Across from this location
- 499 W 600 N - Proctor Park
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