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Siren test comes after some fail
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Monroe Storm Siren Locations



800 block of West 8th Street, near Aldi and Taco Bell

200 block of 4th Avenue West, near Monroe Estates

2600 block of 9th Avenue, north of the Craigo Grain elevator

15th Avenue and 21st Street, north of Monroe High School

2800 block of 81/2 Street, near Northside ElementarySchool

100 block of 20th Avenue North, near Mobile Northsider service station

800 block of 9th Street, near The Blue Ox

1110 18th Avenue, City Hall

MONROE - The city will be testing storm warning sirens Wednesday after discovering that some sirens failed to sound during severe weather Monday.

Monroe Fire Department Division Chief Josse Allen said he's aware of at least four sirens that failed to sound. It's hard to confirm exactly how many sirens failed, but there were four in "common question," he said.

There are eight sirens located throughout the city.

The test Wednesday should help resolve the problem, he said.

A problem with the system was discovered Tuesday after some of the sirens failed to sound when activated at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday for a reported tornado touchdown near Gratiot, according to a news release from the fire department. Several tornado warnings were also issued by the National Weather Service for Green County and surrounding areas.

City officials checked sires in question for electrical or mechanical problems. The problem has been determined to be within the radio system used to transmit a signal to the sirens to activate them, the news release said.

During periods of severe weather, the atmosphere becomes jammed with radio traffic causing interference. The problem has gone undetected by regular system tests due to the decreased radio usage at those times. The test Wednesday is to confirm that corrective measures have restored the system.

Wednesday's test is scheduled for 11 a.m. If there is severe weather is present, the system test will be postponed until 1 p.m.

Storm sirens are regularly tested at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month during storm season.

In addition to listening for sirens, city officials also strongly recommend residents monitor a NOAA weather radio, television broadcasts or radio stations for the latest information when severe weather is present.