Hawaii tests nuclear alarms as North Korea threat escalates
Earlier this week, Hawaii tested its nuclear attack siren amid rising US tensions with North Korea. It's reportedly the first time they've sounded the alarm since the end of the Cold War.
Loud sirens were heard wailing across the region on Friday, and they will be repeated on the first business day of each month going forward, according to the Washington Post.
When the alarm is sounded, tourists and residents are advised to seek shelter immediately and to remain there until local radio and television broadcasts announce an all-clear message.
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“We believe that it is imperative that we be prepared for every disaster, and in today's world, that includes a nuclear attack,” David Ige, the Governor of Hawaii, said.
“There needs to be different action taken should there be a nuclear attack than what is expected for a hurricane or tsunami,” Ige added.
In the event of a real nuclear attack, the Post reports that the sirens will serve as a 15-minute warning to residents to take cover. Officials say that’s how long a nuclear missile would take to get to Hawaii from North Korea.
The event occurred just days after North Korea launched a ballistic missile they claimed was "capable of striking anywhere in the US."
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The missile, which is reportedly capable of reaching speeds up to 8,000 miles, traveled for nearly an hour before falling into the Sea of Japan.
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