Marion County to Test Tornado Warning Sirens

Sirens in Salem, Centralia, and other areas to sound at 10 AM Thursday

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:21am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting the silhouettes of buildings or trees dwarfed by the looming presence of dark, ominous storm clouds, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of an impending tornado.As tornado season approaches, Marion County's emergency management agency works to ensure its warning system is fully operational and ready to alert residents of severe weather threats.Centralia Today

The Marion County Emergency Management Agency will conduct tests of the tornado warning sirens in several communities, including Salem and Centralia, on Thursday morning at 10 AM. The agency says some technical issues arose during a previous test on Tuesday, so this additional test is meant to confirm the sirens are fully operational ahead of tornado season.

Why it matters

Tornado warning sirens are a critical part of the emergency alert system, providing an audible warning to residents to take shelter when severe weather threatens. Ensuring the sirens are working properly is vital for public safety in tornado-prone areas like Marion County.

The details

Marion County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Andrew Strong said the sirens can be activated in multiple ways, and all methods will be tested on Thursday. Strong noted that while some technical issues arose during Tuesday's test, they have since been resolved, but an additional test is prudent to confirm full operability of the sirens.

  • The tornado warning siren tests will take place at 10 AM on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • A previous test was conducted on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Andrew Strong

The Marion County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, who is overseeing the tornado siren testing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There were some technical issues during the Tuesday morning test. He reports they were worked out, but with tornado season upon us, he felt another test to confirm operation was best.”

— Andrew Strong, Marion County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator

What’s next

The Marion County Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor the tornado warning sirens and conduct additional tests as needed to ensure they are fully operational throughout the tornado season.

The takeaway

Proactive testing of critical emergency alert systems like tornado warning sirens is essential for protecting public safety in communities prone to severe weather events. This additional test in Marion County demonstrates the agency's commitment to preparedness and responsiveness.