U.S. Senator Schumer Calls for Federal Funds For Audible Warning System

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is thinking about lots of water and how to protect residents and visitors to the region in the event of flash flooding.

Schumer was in Delaware County October 3 to push for a federal grant to install an audible early warning system that could alert people of an emergency even if they don’t have cell service, which is a problem in rural, mountainous areas.

Schumer says Delaware County has a $400-million tourism industry, hundreds of business and countess residents and visitors that are in danger due to no adequate way to alert them to an emergency.

In the event of situations like flash flooding, it may be impossible for fire and other emergency personnel to get to every resident who needs to be evacuated in areas that have no internet or reliable cell phone service.

Schumer says he wants to secure a $150,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to cover about half the cost of installing a series of alert system speakers with the county covering the rest.