New sirens coming to Macon-Bibb to improve weather alerts
Officials say the system will help alert people outdoors faster during severe weather.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County is upgrading its emergency alert system with new outdoor warning sirens designed to improve severe weather notifications for residents.
The Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency placed 50-foot-tall concrete pole emergency siren systems in the county Wednesday to help locals be aware when severe weather is near.
EMA Director of Macon-Bibb County Spencer Hawkins says the system will help get emergency alerts out faster to residents.
“The more ways that we can get emergency notifications to folks who live, work and play here in Macon-Bibb County, the better,” he said. “These sirens will alert folks who are outdoors, in the case of a tornado warning.”
The $3 million upgrade is aimed to strengthen Macon-Bibb County’s emergency alert capabilities and improve response times during severe weather conditions.
According to Hawkins, the current sirens will soon have the existing wooden poles replaced with concrete poles, along with adding more sirens throughout the community.
“The biggest part we want everyone to know is that when you are planning for emergency notifications, it should be a multilayered approach,” he said. “Have multiple ways to ensure you’re getting information and emergency notifications in the case of a disaster. And these outdoor warning siren systems will be a part of that overall warning system.”
Hawkins wants residents to know the upgrades will take time, but it will not impact how they currently receive warnings.
“As we go through this process over the next several weeks, we will ensure that our outdoor warning system is operational as possible while we go through this upgrade and expansion, but once again, that’s why you don’t have only one way to get your emergency alert locations. Sign up for MBCAlert, get a weather radio and stay informed on what’s going on in your community,” he said.
The EMA encourages everyone to get an emergency weather radio and sign up for weather alerts that are sent straight to your phone. You can sign up for alerts by going to www.maconbibb.us/mbcalert
