Full Notification

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) and the University of Georgia will conduct tests of the outdoor tornado warning sirens and emergency alert notification systems on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at approximately 11:20 AM. The tests are part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s National Preparedness Month in September. 
If inclement weather is possible, the test will be postponed until Wednesday, September 9 at 11:20 AM.
"Though we hope to never have to use them, testing sirens is vital to maintain county and personal preparedness," said Meredith Barnum, ACCGov Emergency Management Coordinator. "It's important that residents know what the sirens sound like and for our communication specialists to exercise the siren activation process. ACC EMA encourages all residents of Athens-Clarke County to take a moment when they hear the sirens and think about what they would do in the event this was a real emergency."
Athens-Clarke County residents can sign up for e-mail and text message alerts about emergencies and other community alerts through the Notify Me area of ACCGov's website at www.accgov.com/notifyme.  
UGA Alert is the emergency notification system designed for the UGA community. UGA students and staff should login using their MyID. There is a separate login for parents and those affiliated with UGA to login without a MyID. Links to both logins can be found at www.ugaalert.uga.edu.  
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 National Weather Service (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.

What You Can Do

Americans Stand Ready, the 2026 theme for National Preparedness Month, focuses on working together to recover from disasters and getting back to the essentials of preparedness. Disasters and emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere, and sometimes without warning. You may be the first person to respond and provide help in your neighborhood. 
Below are some steps you can take to prepare for emergency situations that affect you and your community. 

• Insure your property. Insurance is a first line of defense after a disaster. Having insurance that covers your home and belongings can help you recover faster and more completely. Talk to an insurance agent to make sure you have the right amount and right kind of insurance. 
• Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves during a disaster. Consider the unique risks where you live and the needs of your family. Know where you’ll go if you need to leave your home and learn your evacuation routes so you can get there safely. 
• Be in the know. Sign up for your community’s warning system. Disasters can happen suddenly, so it’s important to have multiple ways to get alerts. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. 
• Build a kit. We know how to keep our loved ones safe when things go wrong, but do you have what you need to stay safe and comfortable until help arrives? You may think building a well-stocked emergency kit is difficult or expensive, but it doesn’t need to be. You can gather supplies over time, starting with items you may already have at home like canned food and first aid supplies. Visit ready.gov/kit for a list of items to include and how to tailor your kit to meet your family’s needs. 
• Take the next step. When communities work together, there’s nothing they can’t do. If you want to help your community be more resilient, consider taking a training course through FEMA’s Training and Education Program, the American Red Cross, or your local emergency management agency to build or gain skills to protect yourself, family, friends and community.

For more information on preparing for emergency situations, visit the Ready Georgia website at gema.georgia.gov or the ACCGov Emergency Management Agency’s website at www.accgov.com/ema.