Crenshaw County now has a total of 27 outdoor weather warning sirens, with 10 of those being new.

And, according to Crenshaw County EMA Director Jessica Tomlin-Seabrook, live siren testing will begin very soon.

“All of the sirens are now ready and are hooked up, so we will begin our monthly live siren testing beginning on Nov. 4,” Tomlin-Seabrook said.

“I realize that is Election Day, but we will be doing the siren testing on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m., weather permitting. Election Day just happens to fall on that first testing day.”

The county had installed the new sirens at Magnolia Shores, Pleasant Home, Glenwood Road, Weedville, Cherokee Village, Burgamy Swamp, Rutledge Loop, Jones Bridge, Burnout, and Fullers Crossroads, thanks to a FEMA grant.

McCord Communications, the company that originally installed the new outdoor weather sirens, had to come back and move five of the sirens approximately 10 to 15 feet further off the roadway from their original placement. This was done at the request of County Engineer Benjie Sanders, who was concerned about safety issues for drivers along the roadways.

The Jones Bridge Road siren, which was not put up at the same time as the others, was installed by South Alabama Electric out of Troy free of charge.

“I’d like to personally thank South Alabama Electric for this service that they have provided free of charge to the county,” Tomlin-Seabrook added.

No matter what season of the year it is, residents should remember that the weather warning sirens are outside warning systems only. They may not be heard by those who are inside a building or a home. NOAA weather radios are recommended for indoor weather warning systems for all residents within the county, according to Tomlin-Seabrook.

However, when it comes to the new outdoor sirens, the EMA director wants residents to be aware of what it is they are hearing.

“With a total of 10 new sirens, many residents who aren’t accustomed to hearing them should definitely be aware of the live siren testing dates, so they can be informed of what is happening.”