The City of Sparta handing out free weather radios to city residents at the Sparta Electric Department.
Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city is handing out 765 weather radios after committing $10,000 to match a grant from TVA. Lowery said providing the radios is fulfilling a government duty to keep Sparta residents safe.
“We just think this is part of allowing them an extra opportunity to know that there is bad weather coming ahead of time and that they can be notified and get in their safe place and maybe keep their family safe if there were to be a tornado,” Lowery said. “We hope it never happens and we hope they never have to use them.”
Lowery said a person must be a Sparta resident to receive a weather radio.
“One of the requirements they’ve gotta be a customer of the Sparta Electric Department and we will make sure that they are that and then we will issue them a radio,” Lowery said. “We will start that today and then after today they will be available at the city hall and the electric department as well.”
Lowery said weather radios are a good backup plan in case someone does not hear a tornado siren. Lowery said weather radios are also crucial as the weather in the Upper Cumberland can be unpredictable.
“It can happen quickly and that’s what happens a lot of times,” Lowery said. “Sometimes there is no warning but we think that the conditions are and maybe the radios, if these radios save one family from tragedy then it’s well worth everything that we put into it.”
Lowery said TVA and the Sparta Fire Department will be at the electric department to help residents set up their new weather radio. Lowery said he had a vision of providing citizens with weather radios several months ago and is excited that TVA has helped make that vision come true.
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