Pierce County investigates failure of lahar sirens

TACOMA — Pierce County’s newly upgraded lahar warning system has failed its first test.

County officials tried out the sirens today. An electronic status board reported that the system was working — but the sirens didn’t make any noise.

Emergency management director Steve Bailey says the county is investigating what went wrong.

The system is designed to give residents in eastern Pierce County advance warning of any potentially devastating volcanic mudflows coming off Mount Rainier. It includes 17 sirens — five new ones and a dozen that were upgraded last year.

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