Storm siren installation continues

Photo/Suzanne Loudamy Completion of the new early warning system for the City of Whitehouse draws near, with testing notices and dates to follow. See story page 3A.

Installation of the new early warning system for the City of Whitehouse continues this week.

The new system includes sirens located at State Highway 110 and Walker, West Main and Maji Road, East Main and Senter, East Main and Business Park Drive and on State Highway 110 at Cain Elementary.

"Its main purpose, of course, is for severe weather warning," City Manager Ronny Fite said. "It can also be utilized in the event of some other disaster and has the capability of broadcasting live public announcements."

During their May 2007 meeting, the council approved $113,230 for the storm siren system, culminating a lengthy research period.

The omni directional system from ATI Acoustic Technology Inc is battery powered at the sites charged by solar panels mounted to the concrete poles.

Fite says once the installation is complete, the system will be tested with monthly tests to follow. Those dates will be publicized once they have been set.

Establishing an early warning storm siren system has been a goal of the Whitehouse City Council for some time.

Council member Danny Hogden headed up the project and worked closely with Fite researching the topic and various systems to bring the city the best possible coverage for the best investment.