Two weeks ago, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay, a tornado warning was issued for Houston County.

Not all of the tornado sirens in Houston County were sounded, worrying many citizens and flooding the EMA with phone calls.

However, there was a valid reason for this.

What do you think when you hear the sound of a siren?

"It usually means their doing a test; that’s normally when I hear it. I don't think I've ever heard it when an actual storm or tornado was coming," says Houston County Resident Scott Willeford.

Houston County Resident Dee Brewer said, "I go outside and I look."

When asked, "Were you aware that they only sound the siren in the area the storm is?”

Brewer replied, "No, I wasn't."

While Friday’s siren was only a monthly test, Houston County EMA officials want citizens to understand why on days with severe weather, some sirens are not sounded.

"If we pick up a tornado track, then probably all we're gonna’ do is we're gonna’ track and see the path that tornado's gonna’ be running in. Then, we'll activate the siren for those cities involved, or the sirens in the path," explained Steve Carlisle of the Dothan EMA.

However, some citizens believe all 32 sirens in the county should be sounded when there is a potential tornado in the county; there are reasons behind the procedures.

"Some people out there think we should activate them all the time. I think that instills a fear in some people, [which is] unnecessary," Carlisle added.

Willeford continued, "I think it'd be a big mistake if they ignore it. I think you should be aware it’s going off, either get to a point where they can listen to the news or watch a TV, get indoors or something."

The problem was people who were not threatened, flooded the phone lines.

"We're trying to notify media of things, we're trying to notify certain key people out there of what we're picking up and the lines are tied up; we can't make calls out because our lines are tied up," Carlisle said.

So, what's bottom line?

Willeford said, "It's in the area if I hear the sirens."

The Houston County sirens are tested every first Friday of the month at noon. If you hear a siren at any other time, you should seek shelter immediately.