The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) will conduct a test of its outdoor tornado warning sirens on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at approximately 9:30 AM. The test coincides with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and National Weather Service (NWS) designated Severe Weather Preparedness Day.
In addition to the siren test, ACCGov will also check its website emergency alert notification system at the same time. Residents can sign up for email and text message alerts about emergencies through the Notify Me area of ACCGov’s website at www.accgov.com/notifyme.
Twelve tornado warning outdoor sirens are positioned throughout the community in locations such as Sandy Creek Park, Holland Youth Sports Complex, Bishop Park, West Broad Street at Old Epps Bridge Road, the College Avenue Parking Deck, the UGA Chemistry Building, the UGA University Village Community, Hilsman Middle School, the City of Winterville, Southeast Clarke Park, the UGA State Botanical Garden, and the UGA East Campus Parking Deck. These sirens are intended to alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter when a tornado warning is issued by the NWS. The sirens are only activated during a tornado warning or scheduled tests and not for other types of severe weather or non-weather emergencies.
“Although residents who are inside their homes or offices may hear the sirens when they sound, residents who are in structures are not the primary audience. The tornado sirens are only activated in the event of a tornado warning or a test and are not activated for other severe watches or warnings or non-weather emergencies,” according to ACCGov.
Additional tests occur during February as part of statewide preparedness efforts and in September alongside testing with the University of Georgia’s notification system. During these tests, spotters are placed at each location to listen for activation and observe rotation.
The November 5 test aims to encourage Georgians to prepare for severe weather events. Climatology data from NWS indicates that parts of Georgia experience an increase in severe weather incidents such as tornadoes during November and early December.
Residents are encouraged by Ready Georgia to prepare kits with supplies for three days of self-sufficiency and know where to take shelter during a tornado drill. They should understand that a “tornado watch” means conditions could produce tornadoes while a “tornado warning” means one is occurring or expected soon.
Drill procedures include announcing drills as if an actual warning has been issued, moving participants to designated safe areas using stairs rather than elevators, crouching low with heads covered once in place, and reviewing procedures afterward for improvements.
For more information about preparing for severe weather events in Athens-Clarke County visit gema.georgia.gov or www.accgov.com/ema.
