Linn County’s outdoor sirens sound in error

CEDAR RAPIDS — Outdoor warning sirens around Linn County sounded Wednesday morning, but it was because of a malfunction and not an emergency.

“Technicians are currently working to resolve the issue with the siren vendor,” Linn County Emergency Management said in a statement. “There is no current threat to public safety at this time.”

When there is no emergency causing an alarm, Linn County residents hear the outdoor warning sirens at 8:45 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month — which this month was last week — as the system is tested and a computerized voice is played.

Linn County operates about 150 of the outdoor sirens. Events that can trigger a siren to sound are confirmed winds of 70 mph or greater; hail 3/4 inch in diameter or larger; a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service; or the release of a chemical.