This is a scheduled test of the Nixle Alerting, ACCGov Emergency Alert Center notification system along with the scheduled test of the outdoor tornado warning siren system and UGA Alert. The tests are part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s National Preparedness Month in September.
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.
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 generally conducted twice per year in September and February. 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.
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.
