Officials working to address siren issues in Scott County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

DIEHLSTADT, Mo. (KBSI) — Efforts are now underway to address concerns surrounding tornado siren systems in Scott County, following questions raised about backup reliability in Diehlstadt.

Scott County Emergency Management Director John Scott said he is working with regional agencies, including Sikeston Department of Public Safety, to assess which siren systems are fully operational and which may need repairs or replacement. He said some systems in the area are already known to be non-functioning.

Scott also said communities have been connected with a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that can evaluate emergency alert systems and help identify funding opportunities and long-term solutions. The program allows officials to bring in specialists to assess local needs and recommend upgrades to improve reliability.

The update comes after a Diehlstadt resident raised concerns about a tornado siren’s backup system, which may not function during a power outage. That concern gained attention after a recent storm caused power loss in the area.

A company, Table Rock Alerting Systems, has also offered to help restore backup capability to the siren at no cost, providing a potential short-term solution while officials explore long-term improvements.

Officials say efforts are ongoing as they work to ensure warning systems are reliable ahead of severe weather season.