WASHINGTON COUNTY, Mo. – Washington County emergency management officials tested a repurposed lifesaving system on Wednesday. 

The loud test was a welcome sound for Richwoods residents. 

“We were in Richwoods, almost a direct hit. It passed within three miles of our place right here and again the same thing; I waited and waited,” said Bruce Wilson, Richwoods Resident.

Washington County installed a tornado siren earlier in the year as a donation from the City of Potosi after upgrading their sirens. 

“Once we got them taken down and put up in a new location, it was determined that they were not functioning properly,” said Matt Hart, Washington County part-time Emergency Management Director.

Hart said the repurposed sirens in Richwoods, Irondale and Mineral Point worked during the battery power test, but they still needed upgrades. 

“We had many roadblocks along the way to getting these sirens fully functional, but we were able to overcome those for a great success that was displayed today with our test,” Hart said. “You may not be able to hear it inside your house. So that means that we need to make sure that we have other ways to receive alerts of incoming weather.”

Wilson said he’s thankful to have the siren working. 

“We’re coming up into the 21st century now. I feel something is finally moving in a positive direction,” Wilson said.