Politics & Government

This is a Test, Only a Test (Hopefully)

Hatboro to continue with monthly testing of its tornado siren.

Mother Nature's timing, for once, was well-planned. During , a tornado warning went into effect for portions of Montgomery County, including Hatboro.

The borough had just put in place its and had planned to test it for the first time the following week. But, in late August, Hatboro officials got a jump-start.

Now, with emergency weather out of the way - at least for now - the borough is looking to continue with monthly siren tests. As they have since September, monthly sirens will be done the first Saturday of the month at noon.

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander said during Monday night's council committee meeting that the siren is meant "to let people know what it sounds like in case there would be a tornado."

And what exactly does it sound like?

Find out what's happening in Hatboro-Horshamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner said the one-minute test sounds slightly different than a routine fire siren and "emits a steady, non-cyclic tone" as compared to the three-minute cycle when there's threat of an actual tornado.

Ostrander said the siren, when tornadoes are in danger of touching down, is meant for people outside of their homes.

"They should seek shelter," Ostrander said, adding that people inside their residences should stay put. "You should also listen to the news stations to find out what else to do."

And, in the event of a weather emergency, Fred Zollers will be the man with the plan of action. The council plans to appoint Zollers, the borough's public works director, to the volunteer position of emergency management coordinator, during its Oct. 24 meeting. The position had been previously held by Bob Stauch.

Zollers is also the former chief of .

 

 


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