An outdoor warning system failed to function properly during a tornado warning in Hannibal, Missouri on June 28 due to radio interference.
Mike Hall, Marion County 911 director, is certain that the radio interference came from HPD traffic. “The city’s 16-siren system is activated through a single radio transmission. A day after the storm, Hall reported a review of the 911 audio recording from that afternoon revealed at the same time the siren activation signal was being transmitted there also was radio traffic on another Hannibal police channel,” according to Hannibal Courier Post.
“It takes less than three seconds for the (siren activation) tones to go out, so 911 just makes a simple broadcast saying ‘all units hold traffic.’ HPD is very cooperative when we ask them to stand-by,” Hall noted.
There have been no other issues since the June storm and the city has administered numerous tests. The system is now working normally and Hall plans to look into ways to prevent interference from occurring in the future.
