The City of Burlington’s outdoor warning siren system is currently out of service due to a failure of a critical piece of equipment.
According to a press release from Des Moines County Emergency Management, the malfunction has placed the city’s Outdoor Warning System out of commission while officials evaluate repair or replacement options. During this time, the sirens used to alert the public during severe weather will not be operational.
Emergency management officials emphasize that the outdoor warning sirens are designed primarily to alert people who are outdoors and should not be relied upon as the only source of emergency notifications.
With severe weather expected in the area, residents are strongly encouraged to make sure they have other ways to receive alerts. Officials recommend signing up for Alert Iowa, a free statewide emergency notification system that can send warnings by text message, phone call, or email. Residents can also customize the types of alerts they receive and select their preferred language.
Emergency Management also encourages residents to maintain a NOAA All-Hazard Weather Radio, which provides continuous broadcasts of official warnings, watches, forecasts, and hazard information directly from the National Weather Service. These radios can automatically sound an alert when warnings are issued, including overnight.
Officials say they will continue to keep the public informed as updates become available regarding the status of Burlington’s outdoor warning system. Residents looking for more information or help signing up for Alert Iowa can visit the Des Moines County Emergency Management website.