Sheriff, emergency director address Clinton County storm siren issues

Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options Clinton County Sheriff AJ Carrel and Emergency Management Director Blair Shock issued a joint statement addressing reports that several outdoor warning sirens failed to activate during a severe weather event earlier that day. According to the statement, residents reported that specific storm sirens did not sound following the passage of the storm system. While county sirens undergo monthly testing and have consistently met performance expectations during those checks, officials acknowledged that routine tests typically occur under normal weather conditions. During the active storm, the siren system did not perform to the agency’s established safety standards. County officials characterized any failure of early warning systems as a significant public safety concern. Emergency management personnel identified technical malfunctions affecting county-operated sirens and completed repairs the same day. By the afternoon of April 27, all county-operated sirens had been restored to full operational status. Sheriff AJ Carrel stated that public safety remains the top priority, emphasizing that residents must be able to rely on sirens as an immediate signal to seek shelter. He noted that efforts are ongoing to ensure the warning infrastructure performs reliably under real-world conditions, not solely during routine testing. Officials also reminded residents that Clinton County storm sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of each month, provided no severe weather is present. The system is designed primarily to alert individuals outdoors. Residents are encouraged to maintain multiple methods of receiving emergency alerts, including NOAA Weather Radios and smartphone notifications, to ensure coverage indoors. Sirens activate only within designated coverage areas when a warning is issued. Authorities expressed appreciation for community members who reported the issue, noting that public feedback contributes to maintaining a resilient warning system. Individuals with questions or concerns regarding the siren network are encouraged to contact the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Post Views: Share this: Tweet Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Print (Opens in new window) Share on Tumblr Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Related Click the + Icon To See Additional Sharing Options Sharing Email this article Print this article