It’s no surprise that severe weather rolls through Kentucky in the spring and summer. But Lexington city officials are stepping up efforts to warn residents faster of those impending storms.
Lexington Emergency Management Director Pat Dugger said the time from verifying a severe storm and getting word to citizens has decreased over the last few years. She said the average lead time of 12 minutes is now down to about seven or eight minutes. So, Dugger said staff at the Public Safety Operations Center are working to combine notifications. “With one stroke of the key, you’re setting them all off simultaneously. So, things go out to Face Book, they go out to sirens, the call people, they text people. They do everything you have in your tool kit all at the same time,” said Dugger.
Dugger said improvements in outdoor warning sirens include a re-located siren to the top of the Fayette County District Court building and pole replacements at Constitution and Landsdowne Parks. In all, Lexington has 30 outdoor warning sirens.
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