If you live near the Occoquan River, and you hear a loud warning siren on Thursday, Dec. 13 at about 10 a.m., it's just Fairfax Water testing the new Occoquan High Dam warning siren.
This test does not require you to seek higher ground, according to the Fairfax County Emergency blog. However, if the siren sounds for a real emergency, and you live or work within the inundation zone, you must find higher ground.
The siren was installed between Belmont Bay and the Town of Occoquan to warn communities down the river about any major failures of the dam, and its installation was funded by Fairfax Water and the Town of Occoquan, Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta said.
To learn whether you are in the impact zone, and to listen to the sound of the siren, visit www.OccoquanDamSiren.com. For a short informational flyer that can easily be downloaded and shared, click here.