Spring: Tornadoes, Storms & Flooding

Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Safety

• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Issued for winds 58+ mph and/or quarter-sized hail. (Tornadoes are always possible in these conditions!)
• Tornado Warning: Issued when weather radar detects rotation or a tornado has been spotted on the ground. Seek shelter immediately.

Hamilton County, TN, does not use outdoor sirens for weather warnings. Because sirens are unreliable for alerting people indoors, the ones you hear in our area are actually part of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant emergency system. To stay safe during severe weather, please rely on weather apps or NOAA radio rather than listening for outdoor sirens.

• Nuclear Plant Sirens: Sirens located near the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant are tested on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 PM (Noon) for approximately three minutes.

An easy way to remember the difference between a watch and a warning during severe weather is using the taco analogy: a Watch means you have the ingredients to make a taco; a Warning means you are eating the taco right now.

Flash Flooding - "Turn Around, Don't Drown"

• Proactive Maintenance: Public Works crews deploy before forecasted heavy rain to clear catch basins.
• Resident Help: Do not rake leaves or debris into the street; this is the #1 cause of localized street flooding.
• Property Risk: Use the Chattanooga Property Flood Risk Tool to see your specific home's vulnerability.

Report Storm Damage

• Downed Power Lines: Call EPB immediately. Do not report power outages to 911.
• Fallen Trees:
  • Blocking a city street: Call 311.
  • On a power line: Call EPB
• On private property: This is the responsibility of the homeowner.