On Saturday, August 23, 2008, the County Early Warning System sirens will sound in a full scale test.The Early Warning System sirens will be activated twice during this test. The first activation will take place at 12:00 noon. The sirens will sound again at 12:30 pm. All 131 sirens will sound at the same time during both tests. The sirens will sound for approximately three to five minutes.

The Early Warning System sirens were installed as one of the nuclear power plant emergency preparedness requirements for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. The siren system can be used for other major emergencies where there is a need to alert large numbers of people to tune to a local radio or television station to get information and instructions related to the emergency.

The Early Warning System sirens cover an area extending from Cayucos to Willow Road on the northern Nipomo Mesa. The siren coverage area includes the northern Nipomo Mesa, the Five Cities Area, Avila Bay, See Canyon and Squire Canyon areas, Price Canyon area, Baywood Park/Los Osos, City of San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and Cayucos areas. Click here to view a map showing the siren coverage area. Residents and visitors in these areas may hear the sirens sound two times during the Saturday test.

The Early Warning System sirens are intended to alert the public to go indoors and monitor a local radio or television station for emergency information. Should the sirens sound during a time other than a test, the public should tune in to a local radio or television station for information.

During the test no action is needed on the part of the public. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless it is to report a serious or life threatening emergency that requires police, fire or medical response.

>> Download the Siren Coverage Map