Lahar Warning System
Upgrade & Expansion Project
Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (PCDEM) expanded the number and reach of the outdoor warning sirens in 2020. PCDEM has 42 sirens in the Puyallup River Valley and the Nisqually River Valley. The recently upgraded sirens will have more capabilities to notify people of emergencies. They include voice warnings in English and Spanish, flashing lights to reach vulnerable populations, and verbal instructions based on the emergency.
Testing happens the first Monday of each month. The first test of the upgraded system is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2020. The new test siren will sound similar to a Westminster chime on a clock. You can hear the tone and verbal instructions for the test by clicking here.