Sarpy County upgrading and expanding outdoor warning siren system [Video]

Sarpy County is updating and expanding its outdoor siren system.

The $1.2 million upgrade, financed entirely by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, will allow Sarpy County officials to activate sirens in portions of the county where a threat to public safety, such as a tornado, is present, according to a county press release.

Currently, regardless of where the threat is, sirens are activated throughout Nebraska’s fastest growing county.

The county, with help from local city governments, sanitary improvement districts and members of the private sector, is replacing obsolete outdoor sirens and adding sirens near recreation spots along the Platte River. The press release added every one of the more than 80 outdoor sirens along with the centralized control system will be backed up by battery power.

“As the county grows, so does the need for additional sirens and new technologies,” Sarpy County Emergency Management Director Jesse Eret said in …