Stay tuned to these resources for severe weather, disaster and other local emergency information.
NOAA Weather Alert Radio
NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC)
Emergency Alert System, NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).
NOAA Weather Radios equipped with an audio alert tone kept in your bedroom will allow you to be awaken at night when severe weather threatens your area.
Local Television and Radio Stations
Stay tuned to local media outlets during emergency situations for the latest information and follow instructions provided by emergency management officials and first responders to keep you and your family safe.
Social Media
Like and follow The City of Shawnee on Facebook and Twitter to get updates about local government, as well as information about emergencies affecting the area.
Notify JOCO
Notify JoCo is a public notification system designed to keep Johnson County residents and businesses informed of emergencies. Notify JoCo relies on E911 phone numbers and personalized information registered by you or your family to reach you during emergencies. Public officials strongly recommend that you log on to
www.NotifyJoCo.com to customize your preferences.
Outdoor Warning Sirens
Shawnee is protected by a system of 18 outdoor warning sirens.
- This system of sirens is not intended to alert people who are indoors.
- A NOAA Weather Radio, mentioned above, is still the most reliable to receive severe weather notifications.
The system is tested by Johnson County Emergency Management on the first Wednesday of every month at 11:00 a.m.
The system performs a daily self-check to verify operability.
During a tornado warning, sirens will sound for three-minutes out of every ten minutes until the tornado warning expires.
- There is no “all-clear” signal.
- Stay calm and take cover in your pre-determined safety spot.
- Don't tie up phone lines by calling the National Weather Service, local emergency services, public officials or the news media.
- Turn to local media for updates or instructions from public officials.
- Call the Shawnee Fire Department Office of Emergency Management
at (913) 631-1080 with questions or to report a possible siren
malfunction.
In 2016, Shawnee began a process to replace many sirens that exceeded their life-cycle. In the process, some of the sirens were relocated to enhance coverage across the city. Due to the relocation, some residents may not hear the sirens as clearly as before due to new siren locations. These maps show coverage before the update and after. We will continue to evaluate coverage and improve it as needed.