The storm sirens known to the citizens of Clinton and DeWitt County will be replaced with texts and emails in the coming years.

Tony Harris, DeWitt County CENCOM Coordinator, indicates the sirens owned by Constellation are used by CENCOM to notify the public of storms. Constellation is planning to no longer maintain the sirens.

Harris says notifications will be done using a vendor similar to what CENCOM is currently using. He notes a big motivation for Constellation to eliminate the sirens is the associated costs.

Harris notes if someone potentially does not have a cellular device or does not register their phone number they will be contacted through their landline. Harris stresses that currently if someone wants to be contacted by CENCOM for potential storm warnings they will have to register.

A DeWitt County citizen told Harris that he was concerned about getting the notifications because he was in an area with poor cell service and internet reception. He says that is also a concern with the current siren system and it is being worked on by Constellation and the emergency management agency.

Harris reminds this project is in the very early stages with Constellation finding a vendor.

He says anyone that wants to sign up for CENCOM's Hyper-Reach mobile phone alert system can do that by visiting either the City of Clinton or DeWitt County websites.