Weather Warning Sirens Getting Softer - WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news.

Weather Warning Sirens Getting Softer

R. C. Carter has cut his grass with the same old lawn mower for more than 30 years in Pike County. He says it hasn't ever caused him any problems. But when it comes to the more important task of protecting his family and property from severe whether, Carter's not so confident.

"It should be louder than what it is," says Carter about a nearby weather warning siren. He and his wife say they have a hard time hearing the siren, which is tested monthly. And it's less than 2-years old. "You wouldn't know what it was if you didn't exactly know ahead of time," says Duva Carter.

"They still work, they're just not up to 100%," explains Pike County EMA Director Larry Davis. He says three of the county's 11 sirens are having problems with their drivers. (That's the machinery inside the siren which produces the loud wail.) "Sitting by them, you can't tell the difference," Davis says. "But if you were a half mile off or something, maybe you could."

Davis says the sirens may be defective and therefore still under warranty. Nevertheless, county commissioners have given the go ahead to pay up to $950 for any necessary repairs within the next few days. With tornado season upon us, Davis says protecting citizens like R.C. and Duva Carter is his top priority. "We certainly want to do everything we can to take care of that problem."