East St. Cloud outdoor warning siren is broken, sign up for text alerts

ST. CLOUD — City officials sent out a news blast Wednesday informing residents the outdoor warning siren on the city’s east side is out of order.

The siren in question is located near the McDonalds on East St. Germain Street. St. Cloud’s release states the siren needs to be replaced, and it may take several months to be completed.

This timeline considers placing the order, delivering parts, installing the siren and programming it, the release states.

Those living and working in the area should sign up for alerts to be sent via text, phone or email at https://www.smart911.com/smart911/registration/registrationLanding.action?cdnExternalPath= .

The announcement comes as St. Cloud is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Other cities included in the watch include Alexandria, Benson, Little Falls and Willmar. A watch informs the public that conditions allow for a severe thunderstorm to occur, not that severe conditions are currently happening.

As a result of the storms, the city's July 31 neighborhood kickoff meeting is canceled.

Corey Schmidt covers local government for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: East St. Cloud outdoor warning siren is broken, sign up for text alerts