<p>COLUMBIA — The City of Columbia has completed installation and testing of a new citywide public safety siren system, giving residents a modern, layered outdoor warning network for the first time. The sirens were activated in a successful test on Monday, May 11, 2026, according to a city announcement posted the following day.</p><p>The $420,000 project was funded through a Community Development Block Grant Imminent Threat Program and completed in partnership with the South Central Tennessee Development District. Twelve sirens are now strategically positioned throughout Columbia — three electric units capable of both audible tones and voice messaging, and nine mechanical sirens engineered to project strong, far-reaching warning signals.</p><p>Mayor Chaz Molder said the investment reflects the city's ongoing commitment to protecting residents. City Manager Tony Massey echoed that the modern system strengthens Columbia's ability to deliver timely warnings when conditions deteriorate rapidly. Both noted that the sirens will be activated only when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning — meaning a tornado has been confirmed by sighting or radar — and only for the specific zones where the threat has been identified.</p><p>Residents are reminded that outdoor sirens are designed to alert people who are outside. Everyone should have an indoor alerting plan as well, including a NOAA weather radio or a reliable smartphone alert app. Storm season in Middle Tennessee is no time to be caught off guard, and this new system gives Columbia families one more layer of protection.</p><p>For full details on the siren system and how it works, visit the City of Columbia's official announcement linked below.</p>