Darien Officials Answer Whether Sirens Went Off

DARIEN, IL — Some residents have alleged online that Darien's tornado sirens never went off the night of June 20 before a tornado was said to have touched down in town.

But Darien officials say the village's three sirens did go off. They are at the Tri-State fire station on Plainfield Road, the Manning Road water plant and the park on Oldfield Road.

The city got information on siren times from DuPage County Safety Communications, also known as DU-COMM. The agency activates Darien's sirens.

The first siren went off at 10:49 p.m., based on a National Weather Service warning, while the second one went off at 11:15 p.m., based on a weather spotter in Woodridge, Police Chief Greg Thomas said in an email to Patch. The sirens go off for three minutes, unless turned off manually, he said.

The damage occurred in the 11 o'clock hour. Thomas said that when he was first told about the storm, a sergeant estimated it was around 11:30 p.m.

In an email, City Administrator Bryon Vana said Darien's sirens are tested and maintained by an outside siren company.

In Darien's newsletter last week, residents were told the primary purpose of a warning siren is to alert those who may be working outdoors or are away from a building and may not have immediate access to other warning devices.