Wilkes County now covered by NWS severe weather alert radio

Assistant Wilkes EMA Director Jerry Hackney (left) discusses the new weather alert radio transmitter (center) with visitors, including Jim Hussey and Rev. G.L. Avery. News-

After years of effort on the part of Wilkes Emergency Management Agency Director Alan Poss, the county is now covered by a weather radio station that will sound the alert whenever dangerous weather approaches.

For years, Wilkes County residents had to rely on weather radio signals from surrounding counties, but distance and terrain made getting the alert very sporadic. In his discussions with Georgia Emergency Management Agency officials, Poss pointed out that although 90 percent of Georgia was covered by weather radio, Wilkes County was not, and he wanted to correct the problem.

After sending letters to the officesof Rep. Charlie Norwood and Sen. Saxby Chambliss and dealing with the bureaucracy, the station was authorized, and Poss set about getting the station set up with the assistance of Chief Deputy Mike Sisson and Assistant Wilkes EMS Director Jerry Hackney.

Taking part in last week's ceremony were (l-r) Mayor Willie Burns, GEMA Director Charlie English, Wilkes EMA Director Alan Poss, County Commission Chairman Sam Moore, Chief Deputy Mike Sisson, and Assistant EMA Director Jerry Hackney.

A FEMA grant set aside money to make the station possible.

At the opening ceremony last week, Georgia EMA Director Charlie English said to Poss, "There was one constant, tenacious voice asking for this," he said. "I appreciate your long-suffering to see this project through, and I have to apologize - it ought not be this hard."

English presented a check for the final portion of the transmitter cost at the ceremony. Also present were Lans P. Rothfusz, Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Johna West and Dan Yeargin of GEMA, Jim Hussey from Saxby Chambliss' office, and Nancy Bobbitt from Johnny Isakson's office.

Now, when severe weather threatens Wilkes County, the 320-watt dual-transmitter radio will blast a warning to weather radios all over the county and beyond. The equipment is housed in the basement of the Wilkes County Law Enforcement Center, and the antenna is mounted high up on the main antenna mast. "You can pick it up clear to Augusta," Poss said.

The most important thing, however, is that each Wilkes County household needs an automatic weather alert radio, Poss said. "A National Weather Service alert radio receiver is only $30 to $40, but it could save you and your family if a storm comes. I encourage every family to protect themselves with a weather radio."

Weather radios are available locally at Radio Shack and other electronics retailers.

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