Only 2 of 9 Tornado Sirens in Virginia Work

City officials in Virginia will decide whether it’s time to replace an aging warning siren system after seven of the nine units failed to sound during a recent test.

City Council member Don Sipola says the siren system dates back to the 1950s, so it’s tough to find replacement parts when the sirens break. Sipola says sometimes they work – sometimes they don’t.

A plan the council will consider would replace the current system with four sirens that have bigger projection capabilities for an estimated cost of $100,000.

Sipola tells KBJR-TV he’s been working with other council members for years to get the system replaced, but funds are tight.