A brief round of outdoor siren testing will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

This testing is being performed as part of a second round of equipment checks to ensure that the outdoor warning siren system is working properly. The test will include Eau Claire and Altoona’s sirens, as well as any neighboring community sirens that are remotely activated from Eau Claire’s communications center.

Residents can expect to hear the sirens sound once around 1:00 p.m. If all systems operate correctly, testing should be completed within a few minutes. However, if additional verification is needed, the sirens may sound a second time later in the afternoon. In some cases, individual sirens may also be tested separately, which could include shorter “quiet” tests lasting about 30 seconds.

This testing is for system maintenance purposes only. There is no emergency, and no action is required from the public.

The City appreciates residents’ understanding as this important work is completed to maintain the reliability of the region’s public safety warning systems.

Outdoor Siren Fast Facts

• The outdoor siren system is intended to alert people who are outdoors to the threat of impending severe weather or other emergencies so they may seek additional information. It is not intended to alert people who are indoors.
• Sirens are activated by the Emergency Dispatch Center in response to a National Weather Service-Twin Cities issued warning of severe weather, including in the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Tornado Warning, or both.
• Alerts are sent for the areas of the county indicated by the NWS alert or threat.
• Sirens will sound for three minutes per event, or one minute per maintenance test.
• There is no “all clear” signal by the sirens. If you hear the sirens, turn to weather radio or local television for additional information.
• For more information on outdoor sirens, visit Eau Claire County Emergency Management’s website page on the subject, found by clicking here; https://www.eauclairecounty.gov/departments/emergency_management/inform_sirens.php

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