Lightning strike causes Boone County tornado siren to malfunction

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A lightning strike caused a tornado siren in Boone County to malfunction, according to a Thursday press release from the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.

The release says a siren in the 5400 block of North Highway 763 had a technical malfunction Thursday afternoon and activated without a warning present. A radio technician has removed the siren from service, the release says.

The release says technicians are working on the siren and expect it to be full service by this weekend.

“Boone County residents are encouraged to have more than one way to receive local severe weather alerts, either by using a NOAA weather radio, subscribing to Boone County Ready Alerts, or by staying tuned to a local news channel,” the release says. “To subscribe to Boone County Ready Alerts, powered by Smart911, visit the Boone County Ready website www.ready.boonemo.org. Anyone who believes a siren is not operating correctly should reach out to BCOEM by calling 573-554-7900.”

One viewer told ABC 17 they heard the sirens go off at least three times in 30 minutes since 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.