Spruce Pine gets new weather siren

By Staff
John Hicks FCT Staff Writer
Residents of the Spruce Pine area will soon have advance warning of severe weather conditions, thanks to a new outdoor warning system.
Frederick said this will be the 17th warning system the EMA has installed in Franklin County.
The new technology, which can alert citizens with a siren or through a public address system, costs approximately $16,000 and is being funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant. The grant requires Franklin County to fund 25 percent of the system's cost.
Now that funding for the system has been secured, authorities will soon begin soliciting system manufacturers for bids.
The siren/public address system will be located near the Spruce Pine post office.
Frederick noted that this is the beginning of severe weather season, and urged Franklin County residents to have a plan in case of severe weather.
Weather radios are available at most retail electronics stores.
Thursday's severe thunderstorm knocked down several trees and caused power outages in Franklin County, Frederick said. A roof was blown off a house in the Hodges community.
Frederick also recommended that citizens: