The Effingham City Emergency Management Agency have announced a new weather siren activation policy for destructive severe thunderstorms.
EMA Director Larry Thies said along with tornado warnings, the emergency sirens will sound for any severe storms with winds reaching 80 miles per hour or hail around 3 inches in diameter.
Thies said this policy is part of an ongoing effort to provide timely and effective warnings to help protect the community from severe weather.
"The inclusion of the destructive severe thunderstorm warning to our siren activation criteria is a crucial update that reflects our commitment to community safety," Thies said. "Given the potential for severe damage and injury that these storms can cause, it is imperative that we use every tool at our disposal to alert our citizens as quickly as possible."