Emergency Management operates and maintains a warning system for the Ponca City area. Radio-controlled outdoor warning sirens are tested every Thursday, weather permitting. When the sirens are activated, citizens should turn their radios or TV to a local station for information and instructions. The sirens are an outdoor warning system only.  Residents should identify another warning source to be utilized when inside.  One example would be the NOAA Emergency Alert Radio.   There are also services available that will provide warnings on a cell phone or computer at no cost from several weather internet websites.

NOAA Weather Radio
The Kay County Amateur Radio Club and the Ponca City Emergency Management Office secured a grant and local contributions in order to install a new local NOAA Emergency Alert  transmitter. The transmitter is maintained by the National Weather Service. Information and warnings originate from the National Weather Service office in Norman. They are transmitted to the local transmitter over phone lines. The information is then transmitted to anyone with an emergency alert radio receiver in the Kay County area. The receiver will automatically broadcast messages for weather warnings to be received by citizens. Many of these receivers are located in schools, businesses and homes in the Ponca City area.  This system can also be used for local non-weather emergencies.

Cable Override System
Emergency Management has access to the Cable Override System.  When activated, an audio only, voice message will interrupt local cable TV broadcast with emergency information for citizens.  IF you are using a satelitte dish for TV broadcasts, you will not get the message.

More Warning Methods
Emergency Management informs the local media of emergency related information, such as severe weather, evacuation, and sheltering in place information that needs to be broadcast to the public.

A variety of radar and weather data is utilized by emergency management during severe weather.  The information gathered is passed on to local "storm spotters" in the field.  Spotters assist with the warning decision by providing current reports on conditions. These reports are also forwarded to the National Weather Service.

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