Boone County Emergency Management Issues Apology for Incorrect Siren Test Setting
The Boone County Office of Emergency Management in Columbia, Missouri, has issued an apology following the activation of outdoor warning sirens with an incorrect setting during a scheduled monthly test on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The routine test resulted in a different siren sound than typically used, causing potential confusion among residents. Chris Kelley, Director of Boone County Emergency Management, acknowledged the concern created by the unexpected sound and stated that the office is reviewing its testing procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The office clarified that there was no active threat to the public during the test. Residents are reminded that outdoor warning sirens are primarily for alerting individuals outdoors to immediate threats, such as tornado warnings, and should not be the sole source of emergency information. The office encourages the use of multiple alert systems, including NOAA Weather Radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and local weather sources.
