When do Du Quoin's storm sirens sound? Four working, one was not during last week's storm

Last Tuesday's severe storm that raked Perry County has prompted this question:

When are Du Quoin's five storm sirens activated and for how long? The five sirens are located in a subdivision along Rt. 51 south of Du Quoin, at the American Legion, on North Line Street, on North Chestnut Street and in Du Quoin's industrial park.

The legion siren--fully operational during its last test--was the only one of the four not working last Tuesday. Du Quoin ESDA spokesman Chuck Genesio said simply that the sirens are sounded "any time there is weather that threatens damage to the community. We have trained spotters and last week's storm had enough imbedded rotation in it that we felt we needed to activate the sirens."

He said it is part of a uniquely local, accurate dynamic to tell residents to take shelter and does not necessarily have to parallel television news accounts.

The sirens remain on during the most serious minutes of the threat.

Statewide, sirens and early warning systems are tested at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month.