University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign outdoor warning sirens to be upgraded and tested between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, February 4-5th.

Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) is advising people not to be alarmed if they hear one of the area’s emergency sirens sound next week during periods of calm weather. All 39 sirens will be impacted as part of an upgrade to the siren system for the Champaign-Urbana, Savoy, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign areas. This upgrade includes modernizing the system from analog to digital communications and for the automatic activation of the sirens in the tornado warning area issued by the National Weather service.

The warning siren contractor, Braniff Communications, will evaluate the system as it activates each of the sirens individually. Audible testing will occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, January 27th-31st.

CCEMA reminds residents that outdoor warning sirens are activated for the purpose of alerting people who are outdoors that a tornado warning has been issued for the affected area. When the steady tone of an outdoor warning siren is heard during severe weather, it is imperative to find shelter immediately. CCEMA also encourages residents to monitor a local media outlet, NOAA Weather Radio or the National Weather Service website in the case of inclement weather.