Through a long grant process, a new outdoor warning siren was installed in the city of Starkville at the intersection of Reed Road and Hospital Road.
Outdoor warning sirens are most commonly used during inclement weather, in particular for tornado warnings. The sirens are also used in situations and other events happening within the community like a major gas leak or if a hazmat team is present in a particular area.
The installation of this outdoor warning siren was spearheaded back in 2013 by Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Alderman Roy A’. Perkins. Initially, there was a siren at the location of Reed Road and Hospital Road, but it was moved without explanation. Perkins then pushed to bring the siren back to that location.
Through the grant process with Mississippi Emergency Management Association, both Perkins and City Clerk Lesa Hardin were able to complete the implementation of the siren.
“I knew that one day the sun was going to shine and allow this project to become a reality,” Perkins said.
Perkins said having this particular siren installed, it will be able to serve numerous residents throughout the Starkville community. The siren will be particularly close to OCH Regional Medical Center, Carrington Nursing Center, Rolling Hills Developmental Center and Starkville Manor Health Care and Rehabilitation Center.
“This siren is a life-saving device and measure that we shall not take lightly,” Perkins said. “Just in case it comes our way we hope that this device may save some lives.”
Director of Oktibbeha County Emergency Management Kristen Campanella said there are now currently 13 sirens located throughout campus and the city. There is also a siren located in Sturgis.
“It’s just another tool in the toolbox to help prepare residents during severe weather events,” Campanella said.
Emergency management is currently in the process of getting another siren for Sturgis and one for Maben, but has not yet been approved for the grant.
Campanella said one of the biggest complaints emergency management receives is people cannot hear the sirens when it’s going off. The sirens are meant to notify people who are outdoors to find shelter inside.
The most effective way to receive weather updates, Campanella said is to sign up for CodeRED, which can be done through emergency management’s website. CodeRED is a free emergency notification service provided to all residents within Oktibbeha County. The service notifies residents through phone calls, text messages emails and social media.
The service provides information and updates on where you live or where you are. Campanella said there are many times there is a warning issued for the county but the potential threat could be miles away from your location.
“We only activate those sirens if there is a tornado warning for the city of Starkville or for MSU campus,” Campanella said. “If it’s a county warning and its not coming through Starkville we don’t set those sirens off.”
Sirens are tested every first Tuesday of the month, but if weather conditions are not favorable the test is pushed to the following Tuesday.