Severe Weather Alerts: Be Informed in Forsyth

Patch Staff Report

Included here is a map of the severe weather sirens in Forsyth County that are activated in the event of a tornado warning. Check out the link below to hear the difference between the test tone and the actual warning tone. 

Forsyth County has 17 outdoor severe weather sirens located throughout the county to notify residents who are outdoors that severe weather is in the area.

Monthly testing of the audible siren (test tone) will take place at noon on the first Wednesday of every month, weather permitting. The sirens will be activated (warning tone) in the event Forsyth County is placed under a tornado warning.

Click on the links below to hear the siren test and warning tones.

Test Tone | Warning Tone

Forsyth County government has a tool to rapidly communicate weather alerts to citizens. The Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is utilizing TFCC Alert from Columbus, Ohio-based Twenty First Century Communications. With TFCC Alert, Forsyth County residents can sign up to receive time-sensitive weather alerts. Citizens can elect to be notified when alerts are issued via telephone calls, emails or text messages. There is no cost for citizens to sign up to receive these weather alerts, but phone usage or text charges may apply.

What type of alerts does the system send out?

The weather alerts will be sent out for three severe weather situations:

• severe thunderstorm warnings
• flash flood warnings
• tornado warnings

How do I sign up?

• The online registration process is user-friendly and takes no more than a few minutes to complete. Those who have already registered contact information with the county are not automatically registered for these severe weather alerts. Residents must register and opt-in to receive these alerts. 
• Register via a secure sign-up page hosted by Twenty First Century Communications by clicking on the link below.
• Once registered, enter your address, telephone number and/or cell phone number. Registering your phone as a cell phone will indicate that you wish to receive both phone call and text message alerts on your cell phone. Standard messaging rates apply for text messages. If you do not wish to receive text message alerts, do not register your phone as a cell phone. You will still receive phone calls but you will not receive text messages.
• Select which weather alert(s) you would like to receive.
• You will be asked to verify the information entered.
• Residents may also register up to five additional contacts, such as parents, siblings and spouses, under their account.
• Any changes or updates to account information must be done by the account holder, as the county does not have access to the information.
• Weather alerts which are sent via telephone calls will come from 770.205.5674. Alerts sent via email will come from ‘weather@forsythco.com’. Alerts sent via text message will come from 95643.
• Upon receipt of such alerts, residents are encouraged to tune in to their local news/weather television or radio station to receive more details on the weather conditions.

The information provided during registration determines the geographical region of the county for which a citizen will receive an alert. The alert system utilizes the National Weather Service weather polygon, meaning users will receive only when a severe weather alert is issued for their specific portion of the county.

Forsyth County EMA recommends residents use the new weather alert notifications in concert with other notifications, including a NOAA weather radio and the county’s outdoor severe weather sirens. The sirens, which are located throughout the county, will be sounded only when the county is placed under a tornado warning.

Please note that by signing up to receive the weather alerts, you will be automatically signed up to receive emergency notification calls. These are automated calls from the 911 Center to notify residents of emergencies or important situations.

Please note that all personal information received may be subject to public distribution via the Open Records Act.

For questions regarding the weather alerts, call the Forsyth County EMA office at 770.205.5674.

Click Here to sign up for Weather Alerts.