Hawaii tests cold-war nuclear sirens in the face of North Korea threat

A Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile launches in North Korea on Aug. 30, 2017. Hawaiian emergency agencies are resuming testing of nuclear sirens used in the cold war in case of an attack by North Korea. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service/AP)

 

With tensions surrounding North Korea still rising, Hawaii plans to reactivate its early warning system in the event of a nuclear attack. Along with the siren testing, emergency officials hope to inform residents of how to protect themselves in their homes.

NOVEMBER 28, 2017 —Hawaii this week will resume monthly statewide testing of its cold war-era nuclear attack warning sirens for the first time in about 30 years, in preparation for a potential missile launch from North Korea, emergency management officials said.

Hawaii Begins Missile Attack Drills

Hawaii will begin including missile attack warning sirens to its monthly tests on Dec. 1, the first time the siren has been used since the Cold War.

 

Beginning Dec. 1, residents and visitors of Hawaii will have to get used to a new part of everyday life for the first time in more than 30 years.

As part of the monthly warning siren tests, state officials are adding the wavering missile attack siren along with the hurricane, tsunami, and earthquake alerts. The last time the state conducted nuclear attack drills was during the Cold War in the 1980s.

Report: North Korean EMP attack would devastate Hawaii

Hawaii is home to 11 military bases and U.S. Pacific Command’s HQ.

 

Defense analysts said Hawaii could be targeted by North Korea, which continues to develop its nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities, Military.com reported on May 13.

Hawaii is seen as a desirable target as it is headquarters for U.S. Pacific Command and has 11 military bases, including Pearl Harbor, said Dean Cheng, senior research fellow with the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation.