Alerts and Notifications

TorranceNOW Sirens are used to notify the public to Shelter-In-Place. This includes eight sirens strategically located in the City at 6 fire stations, 1 at the Southeast Library, and 1 at the corner of Lomita Boulevard and Madison Street.  TorranceNOW Sirens are designed for early warning to the community in the event there is a significant emergency requiring a call-to-action. 

During an emergency, the TorranceNOW Sirens will be active, but not limited to, the following scenarios: evacuation orders and shelter-in-place orders.

We monitor the functionality of the TorranceNOW Sirens consistently. The sirens are tested silently daily. During an audible test of the TorranceNOW Sirens, those in Torrance should expect to hear: a wail tone, a voice message stating “This is only a test” and Westminster Chimes.  

Listen to the Siren Sounds:

TorranceNOW - Wail Tone

TorranceNOW - Westminster Chimes

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are used to quickly warn the public about serious emergencies.

EAS messages are sent through TV, radio, and cable and may interrupt regular programming with an alert sound and official safety instructions.

WEA messages are sent directly to cell phones in the affected area and do not require sign-up.

In the event that TorranceAlerts is not operational, these systems can be used to alert the public and keep them informed about emergencies that may affect them. When you receive an alert, read or listen carefully and follow the instructions right away to help keep yourself and your family safe. To sign up or get more information about these systems use check

BEELS (Beach Emergency Evacuation Lights System), managed by Department of Beach and Harbors, is designed for all beachgoers, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

During a beach evacuation, BEELS will flash white lights mounted on permanent structures and some lifeguard towers, as well as broadcast a siren and an audible evacuation alert in both English and Spanish. The alert message will change depending on the evacuation type, and the lights will flash slowly for a water-only evacuation and quickly for a full beach evacuation.  The Department of Beaches and Harbors are responsible for it. 

CitySOUNDS (WPKE- AM 1620) is a City-operated radio station designed to provide traffic and other information to the local population. It is best received in a vehicle.

The Office of Cable communication is responsible for the station and updates a continuous-running looping message on local street and traffic conditions, environmental issues, and special events. This low-frequency station can only be heard in the city of Torrance.

Located on ExxonMobil property, these sirens are used to alert residents who live up to a 1.2 mile radius from the Torrance Refinery. The alert sirens can be used for an emergency at the refinery or at other local facilities with no relation to ExxonMobil. When used, the alert sirens wail continuously for several minutes, followed by a short break, followed by subsequent continuous wailing. Chimes (such as the Westminster Abbey chimes) will signal the “all-clear.” It is important to
remember that the alert sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of each month at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The Community Alert Sirens are used when a serious chemical emergency poses a significant threat to the health or safety of a large population of the community.

When the alert sirens sound (except during testing times), the appropriate response is to Shelter In Place

These Barriers are designed to prevent traffic from traveling both directions on Crenshaw during an incident. The barriers are located on northbound Crenshaw, just north of Del Amo Boulevard, and on southbound Crenshaw, just south of 190^th Street.

Additionally, barriers are on Del Amo Boulevard Westbound at Crenshaw and at Maple Ave Eastbound to Crenshaw Barriers. These are activated by TORC after being requested by the Incident Commander. 

Fifteen South Bay cities have established an alert and warning notification system as part of an integrated, interoperable regional platform. The Alert SouthBay emergency notification system aims to keep communities informed about disasters and major emergencies via SMS (text), email, phone, landline, as well as other means of communication. Learn more through its website.