116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Lightning strike causes siren malfunction
Gregg Hennigan
Aug. 13, 2010 3:17 pm
Lightning caused an outdoor warning siren to accidentally go off in North Liberty Friday afternoon.
The siren at 2230 St. Andrews Dr. was struck by lightning at about 2:30 p.m., causing it to malfunction, according to Johnson County Emergency Management.
The siren will be off line until repairs are made next week. It is one of six sirens in North Liberty and is owned by the city.
Such malfunctions are rare, said Emergency Management Coordinator Dave Wilson. Sirens have limited surge protection, but they are no match for a direct lightning strike, he said.
Daily Newsletters