Did You Hear the Sirens? It Was Only a Test

The afternoon sky in Pottstown received a jolt Monday afternoon when an emergency siren sounded for approximately three minutes.

Exelon Generation conducted its semi-annual, full volume test of the emergency warning sirens surrounding Limerick Generating Station on Monday at approximately 2 p.m. It is one of two tests scheduled for June and December each year.

The sounding replaces the full, three-minute sounding on the first Monday of each month—a process that began in June 2012 when the original sirens were retired.

Exelon Generation replaced all 165 emergency warning sirens in the 10-mile radius around Limerick Generating Station with new units featuring battery back-up.
Residents may contact the counties at the following numbers if they have concerns during testing:

• Berks County (610) 374-4800
• Chester County (610) 344-5000
• Montgomery County (610) 631-6530

While Limerick has never used the sirens for emergency notification, they are periodically used by Pennsylvania emergency management authorities to notify residents of severe weather. The sirens are not a signal to evacuate, but a warning to tune to a local Emergency Alert Broadcast Station.

Limerick Generating Station is located approximately 21 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The plant produces enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately two million homes, according to Exelon.