Outdoor Warning Sirens

Conway's outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert automatically when any portion of a NOAA-issued tornado warning’s polygon touch the affective range of a city siren. In other words, if any part of a polygon touches any part of the city, then the outdoor warning siren will engage.

When are the outdoor warning sirens tested in Conway?

We test our outdoor warning sirens every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. when the weather is clear.

What should I do if I hear outdoor warning sirens in Conway?

When the outdoor warning sirens are heard, go inside and tune to local media to get more information. 

Why can’t I hear the outdoor warning sirens in my house?

Sirens are an outdoor warning system designed only to alert those who are outside that something dangerous is approaching. 

Public Tornado Shelters - Conway Public Schools

The Conway Public Schools tornado shelters are available for use by the public during non-school hours. School hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday during the school year.

Sallie Cone Preschool
1629 South Blvd | Directions

Marguerite Vann Elementary School
2845 Carl Stuart Rd | Directions

Carolyn Lewis Elementary School
1805 Old Military Rd | Directions

Theodore Jones Elementary School
1800 Freyaldenhoven Ln | Directions

Ellen Smith Elementary
1601 South Donaghey | Directions

Woodrow Cummins Elementary School
1400 Padgett Rd | Directions

Preston & Florence Mattison Elementary School
2001 Florence Mattison Dr | Directions

Carl Stuart Middle School
2745 Carl Stuart Rd | Directions

Ida Burns Elementary School
1202 Donaghey Ave | Directions

Bob & Betty Courtway Middle School
1200 Bob Courtway Dr | Directions

Jim Stone Elementary School
4255 College Ave | Directions

Ruth Doyle Middle School
800 Padgett Rd | Directions

Julia Lee Moore Elementary School
1301 Country Club Rd | Directions

Simon Middle School
1600 Bill Lucy Dr | Directions

The public tornado shelters are wired in with the City of Conway’s severe weather alert system, so when the outdoor warning sirens engage for a tornado warning, the doors open automatically for the public to enter. During storm season, the doors are checked weekly to make sure the automatic openers are working properly.

If you plan to use a public tornado shelter in the event of severe weather, then visit the shelter during non-school hours and a non-weather event. Familiarize yourself with parking, shelter entrances, etc. to formulate the best plan in the event of an emergency.

Public Tornado Shelter Map

Public Tornado Shelter Rules

  • Safe room doors will unlock remotely when a tornado warning is issued. 
  • During school hours, the safe room is for school use only.
  • The safe room is open to the public only when a tornado warning has been issued, after school hours.
  • The safe room will remain open only until the warning is lifted.
  • When the warning expires, the safe room must be evacuated.
  • Pets are not allowed in the safe room. 
  • Food and drink are not permitted in the safe room. 
  • In accordance with Arkansas law, smoking or the use of tobacco in any form is prohibited in safe rooms as well as on all school property.
  • Personal mobile multimedia devices, including but not limited to radios, smartphones and tablets (e.g. iPads) may be used only with individual earphones. 
  • Safe room doors must remain closed at all times during weather events.

Phone Numbers

  • Non-Emergency Number: 501-450-6120