On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Covington County Emergency Management Agency tested the county's 21 warning sirens, and the results might be surprising to some people, as five of the weather warning instruments failed to work properly.

Beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m., the testing continued until about 5:45 p.m. Each siren was tested on site individually.

According to EMA Assistant Director Jennifer Warthen, five sirens are in need of repairs.

"Three sirens (in Heath, Babbie, and Fleeta) didn't sound at all, one siren (in Florala) didn't rotate, and the air horn on one siren (in Onycha) didn't work," she said.

The results from the testing have been sent to McCord Communications in Gadsen, where the information will be reviewed. A time will be arranged for McCord Communications to come to Covington County to repair the five damaged sirens.

On the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., the EMA will test the sirens.

The EMA would like to remind everyone that if a siren is alerted, Covington County is under a tornado warning. When the warning is issued, the sirens will sound at five minute intervals for the duration of the warning. When the sirens are activated, all 21 sound.

Questions about the sirens and their testing can be answered by calling Jennifer Warthen at 427-4911.