Due to the expected low temperatures, the Jan. 3 test of the Wood County outdoor warning sirens is canceled.
Many of the sirens in Wood County use an electrical motor to power the sirens, according to Wood County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Klein and Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn.
Most manufacturers of these sirens do not recommend testing below 20F. Under extreme cold temperatures, moisture present in the siren would freeze, and could damage the motor when it is activated. Any damage sustained to the sirens could render them inoperable as the region moves toward severe weather this spring. Repairs could take an extended amount of time and costs would likely be in the thousands of dollars.
This test occurrence will be canceled, not rescheduled. The county will plan to resume the normal testing schedule and frequency next month.
