Area Tornado Sirens Tested

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Muskingum County residents were met with blaring sirens during lunch hours this afternoon.

The Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency began their weekly testing of the emergency sirens in the county. Director Jeff Jadwin said the testing is to make sure the sirens are working properly and to identify the ones that need replacement.

“Today 43 of the 44 sirens went. The one we have a problem with power going to the siren. There’s a couple polls that come down in the weather over the winter,” said Jadwin. “We’re waiting for those poles to be replaced and electric service restored to the siren.”

Jadwin said despite the one siren not working properly, people in the area will still be able to hear other sirens in the area as warning. As we head into tornado season, Jadwin said residents need to stay diligent and pay attention to the warning sirens. He said residents should be prepared to take cover if needed and pay attention for alerts.

“Check with their local media. Check with their phones, you know, just because we’re setting the sirens doesn’t mean you’re going to see it immediately. Could be 5-10 minutes down the road that the tornado’s coming your way,” said Jadwin.

The next siren testing will happen next Wednesday at noon. On March 21st the sirens will go off at 9:50 a.m. for the Statewide Disaster drill and will go back to testing at noon on March 28th. Jadwin said the weekly testing may continue year-round.