Tests of three new weather sirens near Arlington high schools will be taking place this Friday.
The sirens — located at athletic fields at Wakefield, Washington-Liberty and Yorktown high schools — will sound a 15-second, one-horn blast and flash strobe lights. Under ordinary circumstances, this means that lightning has been detected within a 10-mile radius and people should shelter indoors for 30 minutes.
A three-second, three-horn blast will sound when it is safe to go outside and resume normal activities.
The sirens, which were funded through a grant, are a first for Arlington, county spokesperson Aisha Mbowe told ARLnow. The project is still in a pilot phase, but if the Arlington County Board officially adopts it, it would involve a seven-year agreement costing $5,897 annually plus a one-time setup fee.
The siren locations were strategic, Mbowe said.
“The high school athletic complexes host the biggest variety of Arlington Public Schools and the Department of Parks and Recreation coordinated athletic activities, not to mention the public use of the outdoor tracks, which is limited to the high schools,” she said.
Installation of the sirens was completed in June.
There will be a weather siren testing this Friday, Sept.13 at the Wakefield (3:30 p.m.), Washington-Liberty (4:00 p.m.) and Yorktown (4:30 p.m.) high school athletic fields. You may hear a loud horn followed by a strobe light. Please do not be alarmed, this is just a test. pic.twitter.com/3AkfHNKVmw
— Ready Arlington (@ReadyArlington) September 9, 2024
Photo via Arlington Public Schools
