On Saturday night a strong supercell went through neighboring Wise County generating an EF2 tornado (up to 130 mph) that struck Runaway Bay and just down the road in Springtown an EF1 tornado (up to 105 mph) hit causing massive damage and two fatalities as of Tuesday.
This storm just skirted the edge of Montague County with Runaway Bay just 27 miles from Bowie. Saturday night the warning sirens went off twice in town.
Sirens also went off on Tuesday afternoon as tornadoes threatened.
With each new storm season citizens question how warning sirens work and their meanings. City Emergency Management Coordinator Kirk Higgins provided the following information on the city’s warning system as a reminder.
The City of Bowie, Texas has four outdoor warning sirens used to alert city residents of the imminent threat of severe weather (tornadoes, hail larger than two inches in diameter, and damaging winds more than 70 mph).

The Cities of Nocona and Saint Jo, as well as the community of Montague, also use siren systems.
The city uses the following criteria for sounding the sirens:
1) The National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WARNING which includes Bowie.
2) The National Weather Service has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING which includes the City of Bowie, and they have received confirmed reports of hail larger than two inches in diameter or wind higher than 70 mph.
When sirens are sounded, city residents should immediately seek shelter. Ideally, this would be in a nearby underground storm shelter. However, if this is not available, use the following guidelines for selecting a space to shelter:
1) On the lowest floor of the building (basement would be ideal).
2) A small interior room with no exterior walls or windows (a closet or bathroom would be preferable).
3) Use mattresses or pillows to provide protection.
4) Autos, RVs and mobile homes should not be used as a shelter.
Outdoor warning sirens are not intended to be reliably heard inside. They are meant to warn people outside to seek shelter immediately. There are numerous cell phone apps and messaging systems available for information.

Also in Thursday’s Bowie News see a list of resources where you can monitor severe weather.