Repairing or replacing sirens to warn residents of natural disasters in and around Warren County is not only unfeasible, it is unwise.

The sirens, built in the 1980s, were never intended to warn residents of impending natural disasters, but to warn them of a calamity at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. The sirens have been silent for more than two years. To repair or replace them would require taxpayers to foot a bill of $20,000 per siren. With 16 sirens throughout Warren County, that would be $320,000 .

Emergency Management Director John Elfer told board members Monday that the best option would be for the county to pipe into the CodeRed system, where alerts are sent via text or phone message. The service now is offered only to those inside the city limits and about 1,200 use it.

With a $15,000 annual cost to the county, Elfer told board members, every county resident who chooses could receive the alerts. No new equipment would be necessary and taxpayers would have no financial liability for maintenance.

The discussion stemmed from residents’ ire following an EF2 tornado that touched down in Vicksburg and parts of Warren County last month.

Of the two options Elfer addressed, the obvious choice is getting the county into the CodeRed system. Board opinions varied.

We do take umbrage with Board President Bill Lauderdale, who said, “Heck, any idiot can turn a TV on or get a weather radio.”

Violent tornadoes many times are preceded by rain and high winds, which fell trees and knock out power, so the fact that any “idiot” — a nice way to refer to county residents — has a TV does not mean the TV will function. Similarly, every “idiot” cannot afford a weather radio.

Every family should have an emergency weather radio, however. An Internet search shows the radios run the gamut in cost from cheap to exorbitant. Personal responsibility is the most prudent choice.

While elected officials cannot provide complete safety for the residents, they can take prudent action to ensure as best they can residents’ safety.

Bite the economic bullet and get CodeRed for county residents. It will be money well spent. Especially in a state known for its violent weather.