Tornado sirens inadvertently go off in DuPage County

Tuesday, August 18, 2026
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (WLS) -- Tornado sirens were set off inadvertently in DuPage County early Tuesday morning, village officials said.

Downers Grove officials said DuComm was testing the system and the tornado siren was set off without any severe weather to be concerned about.



A new automated system was put in place on May 1, 2025.

DuPage Public Safety Communications said in a statement that staff was conducting a planned test of the siren systems.



"During the test, the staff member accidentally activated the sirens. As soon as the error was realized, DU-COMM staff deactivated the sirens," the statement said.

"DU-COMM recognizes and appreciates the trust its member agencies and the public place in us, and we regret that our error caused unnecessary interruption or confusion. We sincerely apologize."
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