McCandless Park tornado siren to be repaired, this spring

BEATRICE, Neb. - A tornado siren that's been in use for nearly 60 years will soon see some upgrades. 

At Wednesday's Gage County Board meeting, Gage County Emergency Manager Lisa Wiegand noted that the tornado siren at McCandless Park in Wymore currently sways back and forth, which is a safety issue, but can also lead to malfunctions. The siren's been in use since 1968. 

The project is expected take place this spring, most likeIy in May... Cost is estimated at approximately $32,000. 

Wiegand says the Wymore streets department is monitoring the siren and will assist in taking it down when repairs begin. 

In 2024, Gage County recorded three confirmed tornadoes, while the entire state of Nebraska saw 66 by the end of May alone.