MOUNT VERNON — There is a new tornado, severe weather warning siren mounted at the Elmwood Fire Station on Newark Road. It was installed this week after the old one quit functioning.

The new siren is solar powered and comes equipped with battery and electric backup.

Mount Vernon Safety-Service Director Dave Glass said the $21,500 cost of the siren was split between the city and a grant from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency. The Knox County EMA wrote the grant for the city.

Glass said it is one of four warning sirens in the city. The others are on the old National Guard Armory to the north, the water plant to the west and at Hiawatha Park on the east. The warning sound from the sirens will carry to residents in a two-mile radius.

The sirens are tested at noon on the first and third Fridays each month.