The City of Eau Claire is currently working through a compatibility issue involving recently upgraded equipment within the outdoor warning siren system. While the upgrades are intended to improve the system's long-term reliability, some components are not integrating as smoothly with older equipment as anticipated.
As part of that effort to identify and resolve the issues, the City plans to conduct comprehensive citywide siren testing on Friday, June 26, 2026 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Testing will only take place if weather conditions are favorable and there is no threat of severe weather in the area.
The testing will involve activating all city sirens, similar to what residents hear during a typical monthly siren test. Because staff may need to verify adjustments throughout the day, residents may hear the sirens sound multiple times.
Most importantly, the outdoor warning siren system remains operational and available for use during actual emergencies. If severe weather or another imminent threat develops, the sirens can and will be activated to alert the public.
A Reminder About What Outdoor Warning Sirens Do
Warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors that dangerous conditions may exist and that they should seek additional information. While sirens can often be heard indoors, they are not intended to serve as an indoor notification system.
Hearing a siren does not automatically mean that a tornado is occurring, nor does it indicate a specific type of warning. Rather, it serves as a signal that potentially dangerous conditions exist and that residents should promptly check reliable sources of information such as:
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Local television and radio stations
• Trusted weather websites and mobile apps
• Wireless Emergency Alerts on mobile devices
• Official communications from local emergency management agencies
The City encourages residents to have multiple ways to receive emergency notifications, especially during severe weather season.
We appreciate everyone's patience as we work through these upgrades and complete the necessary testing. Taking the time to verify the system now helps ensure it performs reliably when our community needs it most.
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