City officials have long cited high costs and modern warning technology, but newer Texas projects raise questions about whether Combine should reconsider its decision.
COMBINE — When dangerous thunderstorms threaten North Texas, residents in many communities can hear outdoor warning sirens signaling potential danger. In Combine, however, residents must rely on other warning systems.
The City of Combine explains the absence of tornado sirens on its official website, citing installation costs, geographic coverage limitations and the availability of newer emergency alert technology.
But a comparison with recent Texas municipal projects raises an important question: Is Combine’s decision based on current costs and emergency planning, or estimates that need another look?
What Would Tornado Sirens Cost?
According to Combine’s frequently asked questions page, the city would need approximately four to five outdoor warning sirens to provide adequate coverage.
Officials estimate each siren would cost between $20,000 and $25,000, based on pricing obtained when the city last investigated the equipment.
That would put the estimated total at $80,000 to $125,000.
However, the city’s published explanation does not identify when those estimates were obtained or whether they included installation, electrical connections, communications equipment and ongoing maintenance.
More recent municipal purchases suggest the actual investment could be considerably higher.
In February 2025, Keller considered purchasing two replacement outdoor warning sirens, including installation, for $60,517.82 — approximately $30,259 per siren.
Another Texas city has committed significantly more.
In May 2026, Killeen approved a $250,486.30 project to expand its outdoor warning network with five additional sirens. That averages approximately $50,097 per siren.
Applying those two project averages to Combine’s estimated need produces a preliminary comparison:
| Cost comparison | Four sirens | Five sirens |
|---|---|---|
| Combine’s published estimate | $80,000–$100,000 | $100,000–$125,000 |
| Keller project average | $121,036 | $151,295 |
| Killeen project average | $200,389 | $250,486 |
These figures are illustrative, not actual bids for Combine. Keller’s project involved replacements, while Killeen’s involved an expansion. Equipment specifications, existing infrastructure and installation conditions can substantially change costs.
Nevertheless, the comparison suggests Combine needs updated pricing before residents can judge the financial feasibility.
Why City Officials Oppose Sirens
Combine’s website identifies several reasons outdoor warning sirens have not been considered a viable option.
Officials estimate a siren’s effective range at approximately one mile across flat terrain, with trees potentially reducing how far its sound travels.
The city also raises concerns about personnel qualifications, activation responsibilities and equipment maintenance.
Importantly, its explanation describes some certification requirements as beliefs rather than citing specific regulations.
Those requirements should be verified before they are presented as obstacles to installing a system.
Combine instead recommends digital radios with battery backup, smartphone applications and the Kaufman County Emergency Alert Program.
The city argues these alternatives can deliver reliable warnings directly to individual homes without the expense of constructing an outdoor siren network.
Are Cellphone Alerts Enough?
The National Weather Service emphasizes that outdoor sirens are designed primarily for people outside buildings.
They are not intended to provide dependable warnings inside homes, businesses or vehicles.
Residents can also receive tornado warnings through Wireless Emergency Alerts on compatible mobile phones. NOAA Weather Radios provide another warning method, including during overnight storms when occupants might otherwise be asleep.
But relying entirely on digital notifications raises practical concerns.
Phones can be silenced, batteries can fail, and residents may not have immediate access to their devices.
Outdoor sirens provide an additional warning channel for people working in yards, walking outdoors or participating in recreational activities.
They are not replacements for cellphone alerts or weather radios. The strongest emergency communication strategy generally involves multiple independent warning methods.
Should Combine Reconsider?
One unanswered question is whether Combine’s emergency warning needs have changed since officials originally evaluated sirens.
New residential construction, changes in population distribution and development patterns could influence where warning equipment would be most effective.
Before committing taxpayer money, the City Council could request a new coverage study and competitive installation estimates.
That evaluation could examine ongoing maintenance expenses, potential funding partnerships and whether a smaller initial installation would provide meaningful protection.
It could also determine whether the existing emergency notification program adequately reaches residents during power outages and communications disruptions.
The central issue is not simply whether Combine can afford tornado sirens. It is whether its current warning strategy offers sufficient protection for the community.
The city’s explanation establishes why officials previously questioned the investment. It does not establish when the costs were last examined or whether the decision has been formally reconsidered.
Until updated information becomes available, residents cannot determine whether Combine is avoiding an unnecessary expense or postponing a potentially valuable public safety investment.
For now, residents should maintain multiple methods of receiving severe-weather warnings rather than relying on any single technology.
