MT. VERNON, IL — After Thursday night’s weather event, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is addressing a repeated question about why people often don’t hear warning sirens when they’re inside their homes. According to the sheriff’s office, sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching.

However, you can get alerts indoors with a NOAA Weather Radio. NOAA Weather Radio is like a smoke detector for severe weather, and it can wake you up when a warning is issued for your area so you can take appropriate action.

Another option is Nixle. Jefferson County Emergency Management (EMA) uses Everbridge/Nixle to send out watches, warnings and advisories. By going online to nixle.com you can create an account, add places for you to receive notifications and decide if you want notices by e-mail or text.

The Sheriff’s Office also has their own and it’s connected with the National Weather Service so when a watch or warning is issued, their app sends the info in a push notification. The sheriff’s office notes there are several ways for you to keep up to date with watches and warnings.

It’s strongly encouraged that you utilize several resources, including severe weather coverage provided by this Withers Broadcasting/Dana Communications Radio Station, to get and stay notified of severe weather.

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