MACON, Ga. — Macon-Bibb County plans to overhaul its aging outdoor emergency warning system, investing about $2.8 million to replace decades-old sirens and expand coverage to every neighborhood, officials announced.

The project will increase the number of sirens from over 50 to a total of 83, per county leaders. Many of the county’s units date back 40 to 70 years — with some still operating from the 1950s and 1960s — and rely on outdated mechanical technology that often requires manual inspections and audible testing.

“These are outdoor mechanical devices, and so we are doing our best to ensure that we're providing the latest technology to ensure that we get accurate information out," Emergency Management Director Spencer Hawkins said. "What we are hoping for is that these new systems

See Full Page