LANSING, Mich. – Cass County’s Wayne Township will benefit from the installation of a weather warning siren made possible by a $19,665 Hazard Mitigation Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The township will provide the required 25 percent match to meet the total project cost of $26,220.

“The installation of early warning systems such as a warning siren is a wise and effective use of hazard mitigation funds because it can save lives and prevent injuries during future severe weather incidents,” said Capt. Kriste Etue, commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD). 

Cass County has experienced eight tornadoes since 1959 that resulted in more than 25 injuries.

The siren, which will be mounted on a 50-foot pole with electrical hookup, battery backup and remote activation, will provide early warning of weather emergencies to approximately 40 percent of the township’s population. Some residents are already covered by a warning siren that is located in Dowagiac.  The new siren will be installed at the Wayne Township Pumping Station at Twin Shores Drive and Park Street.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is administered by the EMHSD. In cooperation with the Michigan Hazard Mitigation Coordinating Council, early warning systems have been identified as a top priority under the HMGP. 

Since the mid-1990s, the state has consistently allocated 5 percent of available HMGP funds (the maximum allowable by FEMA) to the purchase and installation of early warning systems.  To date, HMGP funds have purchased and installed 80 outdoor warning sirens, more than 1,000 NOAA weather alert monitors for public buildings and four NOAA weather radio transmitters.