[CEMA Signal] CEMA Signal: SIREN TEST CANCELED TODAY

[cema_signal at chathamemergency.org]

NEWS RELEASE

Chatham Emergency Management Agency

For Immediate Release
February 3, 2010, 9:00 AM

CONTACT:
K. Courtney Cunningham
912.201.4508  (O)
912.657.8671  (C)
kccunnin at chathamcounty.org




Wednesday’s Siren Test Has Been Canceled
Savannah, GA 


The Chatham Emergency Management Agency has canceled the siren test that
was scheduled for 9:10 today due to inclement weather.  Chatham County
has 60 Emergency Warning Sirens that are tested every first Wednesday of
the month at noon.  If poor weather is forecast for the day of the test,
CEMA will cancel the siren test so to not cause undue concern from
Chatham County residents.

“The sirens are used to warn Chatham County residents of any kind of
danger that may affect them in the immediate future.  Typically the
sirens are activated when a tornado warning has been issued for our area
by the National Weather Service and Chatham County residents need to
seek shelter immediately.  When the weather is overcast, we do not test
the sirens because we do not want residents to think that there is a
threat of tornadoes,” stated Clayton Scott, Director of CEMA.

Though the Emergency Warning Sirens are in place to typically warn
residents of Tornado Warnings throughout the year, the sirens may also
be activated to warn residents of other threatening hazards such as
hazardous materials spills, severe thunderstorms with hail and
lightening, strong winds and spreading fires during drought conditions.

If a siren is heard and it is poor weather, Chatham County residents are
advised to seek shelter immediately and to monitor severe weather
advisories by listening to weather radios, commercial radio or
television newscasts.  

To learn more about the Chatham County Emergency Siren Warning System,
please visit www.ChathamEmergency.org.

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