CUMMING - By the end of this summer, Forsyth County residents should feel a little safer when bad weather threatens. That's because the county is in the process of erecting an additional five severe weather sirens in the county right now.
Forsyth County Fire Captain Jason Shivers said the additions will mean the county will have much better outdoor alert coverage should the weather take a turn for the worse, since the construction will bring the total number of sirens to 17.
He said the outdoor sirens are meant specifically to warn residents who may be working or playing outside that dangerous weather is imminent.
"They [sirens] are not intended to be heard indoors," said Shivers. "If you hear them inside, that's a bonus...that's great. But, they're intended to warn you when you are out of doors to seek shelter, that Forsyth County is under a tornado warning."
Shivers did not give a specific target date that the sirens will be operational, but he emphasized that the construction is underway at this time and that the work should be complete by summer. Once the construction is finished, then the sirens will have to be tested, he said.
Shivers said the new sirens will be located at Fire Station 7 (Silver City), Ducktown Community Park, Midway Elementary School, Windermere Park and Big Creek Elementary School. He pointed out that all of the new sirens are being erected on county-owned property and that will save taxpayers money, since there are no leases involved.
County residents can also sign up to receive weather alerts by cell phone or e-mail, according to Shivers, as part of the county's emergency preparedness system. Plus, he said, residents are encouraged to buy NOAA weather radios for their homes.
Monday
October 21st, 2024
3:51AM
