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2015-2016 Odessa City Guide Page 8City Severe weather information
Severe weather sirens in Odessa are usually tested for three
minutes at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month.
If the sirens sound,residents should go inside and seek informa-
tion from sources including local television and radio stations as well
as the internet and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion All-Hazards radios. Residents can also sign up for local alerts
through the city website, .
Odessa does not use an “all clear” signal, so any repeat soundings
of the siren mean the emergency is continuing. Sirens may sound for
three to five minutes at a time in an emergency.
Sirens are not intended to permeate the insulation of modern houses,
instead intending to warn residents outside. Residents who cannot hear
the sirens are recommended to purchase an All-Hazards radio.
In addition to tornado warnings, which is when a tornado has been
spotted or indicated by radar, the sirens can be sounded in the event of
a severe thunderstorm warning in which wind is expected to reach 70
miles per hour or create hail two inches in diameter or any emergency in
which immediate action needs to be taken to protect life and health.
Tornado watches mean weather conditions can result in storms which
produce heavy rain, lightning, strong wind, large hail or tornados.
In case of a warning, shelter should be taken in small interior rooms
on the lowest floor available. In such cases, mobile homes should be
vacated.
The First Christian Church, 224 West Dryden, Odessa, is the city’s
designated shelter in case of severe weather.
Any and all pets accompanying people seeking shelter must be
in a kennel/cage.
Those seeking shelter must stay in the designated shelter area.
Smoking is not allowed in the church or on church property.
The church and representatives of the church are not responsible
for lost, stolen or damaged items.
Those seeking shelter are asked to remain in the church until the
“all clear” is given. The church will not be responsible for anyone
who chooses to leave before a severe weather event has ended.
This policy will be enforced at all times with the assistance of the
Odessa Police Department.
Scott Newhouse, police chief, and Kevin Campbell, fire chief,
are co-directors of the Odessa Emergency Management Agency.
The agency is tasked with preparing the city for disasters including
tornados, and responding if such an event were to occur.
The agency operates from the Odessa Fire and Rescue Protection
District station in case of an emergency. Most recently, the agency
responded to flash flooding in June 2015 and a storm officially clas-
sified as a small tornado in April 2014.
The First Christian Church is the city’s designated storm
shelter.
Operations of the Emergency Management Agency at the
Odessa Fire and Rescue Protection District station.