Texarkana Fire Department Resumes Weekly Siren Testing: What to Know

Don't be alarmed if you hear the city emergency sirens this week. The Texarkana Fire Department is getting back to its routine testing of the city’s 13 outdoor severe weather warning sirens.

A full, one-minute test will happen at noon on the first Wednesday of each month. On other Wednesdays, the department will do a shorter “growl” test, which is just a few seconds of a lower-volume tone. This is all to make sure the sirens are working without running the full alert. Testing will pause if there’s a threat of severe weather.

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Why Testing Matters in Texarkana

Regular siren checks are part of keeping emergency systems in top shape. Like any electronics, sirens need to be activated now and then to make sure they’ll work when they’re needed most. Routine testing helps emergency personnel confirm the system is ready and reliable for severe weather or other emergencies.

READ MORE: 2026 AHPP Grant Recipients: Texarkana & 12 AR Cities 

Sirens Are to Alert People Outdoors in the Texarkana Area

Remember: outdoor warning sirens are meant to alert people outside so they can find shelter immediately. They aren’t designed to be heard clearly indoors. Sirens are just one part of the city’s emergency alert system, so Texarkana residents are encouraged to have multiple ways to stay informed.

Sign Up for Hyper-Reach Alerts for Texarkana

The City officials recommend signing up for Hyper-Reach, which is a mass notification system for critical events. It can deliver thousands of calls, texts, and emails in seconds to residents in Bowie and Miller Counties, including both sides of the Stateline in Texarkana, Texas and Texarkana, Arkansas.

Hyper-Reach alerts cover severe weather, local emergencies, evacuation notices, boil water advisories, missing persons, and more. You can register multiple phone numbers and locations (home, work, or a relative’s house) to make sure you get alerts where you need them most.

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