St. Louis Revamps Tornado Sirens After May 16 Failure; Spencer County Upgrades Six Sirens to Electric Power

Following the failure of tornado sirens during a deadly EF3 tornado in St. Louis, city officials have taken significant steps to address systemic issues with the warning system. Mayor Cara Spencer revealed that the siren activation button at the fire department was not functioning properly during the storm, and unclear communication contributed to the failure. Control of the siren system has been transferred from the city's Office of Emergency Management to the St. Louis Fire Department, with new protocols and a four-point redundancy plan being implemented. Repairs to the siren system are underway, with automation expected within a year to eliminate the need for manual activation. Meanwhile, neighboring Spencer County is upgrading its tornado sirens from battery to electric power, allowing them to sound for longer durations and improve community safety. Both cities emphasize that sirens are intended primarily for outdoor warning and encourage residents to use multiple methods, such as smartphones and weather radios, for severe weather alerts.