Full Notification

This is a scheduled test of the Nixle notification system along with the scheduled test of the outdoor tornado warning siren test. The test is part of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and National Weather Service (NWS) designated Severe Weather Preparedness Day. 

As part of the day, schools, businesses, and individuals are also encouraged to take part in severe weather exercises/tornado drills.

The 12 tornado warning outdoor sirens are located at Sandy Creek Park, Holland Youth Sports Complex, Bishop Park, West Broad Street at Old Epps Bridge Road, the College Avenue Parking Deck, the UGA Chemistry Building, the UGA University Village Community, Hilsman Middle School, the City of Winterville, Southeast Clarke Park, the UGA State Botanical Garden, and the UGA East Campus Parking Deck.

The tornado sirens are located around the community and are often near large outdoor community spaces that are frequently populated. The sirens are designed to alert residents who are outside to seek immediate shelter when a tornado warning is issued by the NWS.

Although residents who are inside their homes or offices may hear the sirens when they sound, residents who are in structures are not the primary audience. The tornado sirens are only activated in the event of a tornado warning or a test and are not activated for other severe watches or warnings or non-weather emergencies.

Additional tests of ACCGov's systems are also conducted during February when tornado sirens are tested in conjunction with statewide preparedness efforts and in September when the notification system is tested in conjunction with the University of Georgia's notification system. Testing of the tornado sirens involves not only testing the activation system, but also placing spotters at the outdoor tornado siren locations to listen for their sirens and observe their rotation.

The test on November 5 is part of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency’s (GEMA/HS) Severe Weather Preparedness Day to encourage Georgians to prepare now for any type of severe weather. Climatology from the NWS shows that parts of Georgia see a secondary peak in severe weather, including tornadoes, during the months of November and early December.