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Maryland Town Votes for Sirens After Tragic Drowning
8 Jan
Summary
- Mount Airy will install weather alert sirens to prevent future drownings.
- The siren system costs an estimated $93,500 and will be budgeted soon.
- Sirens will activate for tornado, severe flash flood, and destructive storm warnings.
Mount Airy, Maryland, is set to install weather alert sirens following a devastating flash flood that claimed the life of a 13-year-old last summer. The town council's unanimous vote marks a significant step towards enhancing public safety measures in response to the tragedy.
The proposed siren system, estimated to cost $93,500, will be included in the town's upcoming budget. These sirens are designed to activate during tornado warnings, severe flash flood events, and destructive thunderstorm warnings, providing critical alerts even where cell service is unreliable.
The Inclement Weather Task Force, formed after a similar disaster, is spearheading this initiative. While cost concerns were raised, council members emphasized the system's life-saving potential, with hopes of offsetting expenses through grants, donations, or partnerships with neighboring municipalities.
