On May 26, an uninsured vehicle struck a utility pole on Lee Rudy Road, causing the emergency weather siren atop the utility pole to crash to the ground. A month and a half later, Daviess County Fiscal Court has approved a $15,248 bid to fix the severely damaged siren.
Ohio Valley 2-Way Radio proposed the lowest bid to repair the siren, and the cost of the project will be reimbursed to Fiscal Court through insurance.
“There are a few parts they could salvage,” said Fiscal Court Purchasing Agent Jordan Johnson. “That $15,000 will go toward replacing the parts they couldn’t.”
The utility pole was struck with such force that it caused the top section to snap and break off from the rest, taking the siren down with it.
The emergency weather siren is an outdoor warning system that warns those who are outside to seek shelter indoors. Sirens of this nature are sounded whenever a tornado warning is issued for Daviess County.
According to Fiscal Court, each siren covers an approximate one-mile radius. The area affected by the loss of this siren includes Graystone Estates, Audubon Elementary School and the neighborhoods sitting nearby, and Crosspointe Baptist Church, which are all located on the west side of Owensboro.
Johnson said the Lee Rudy Road siren replacement is a priority for Fiscal Court and expects contractors to begin repairing the siren this week.
