MERIDIAN, Miss. - Over a year after a tornado tore through an east Mississippi county without warning, the county is installing weather sirens that will extend warning coverage by over 300 miles.

  

The Meridian Star reports that Lauderdale County is spending $176,000 to install 11 new sirens to warn residents before severe weather strikes. Each siren will be located at county-owned fire stations and can be heard within a three-mile radius.

  

Lauderdale County's District 2 Supervisor Wayman Newell says even with the new sirens, not every county resident will be able to hear storm warnings. Hills, trees and structures can affect how far the sound carries.

  

The sirens will sound when the National Weather Service in Jackson issues a severe weather warning for the area and for periodic tests.