Orrville has been without a weather warning system since 1907. But that’s about to change.

According to Dallas County Commissioner Kim Ballard, a warning siren has been installed just south of Orrville off U.S. Hwy 22. Now it just needs the power switched on. Ballard expects that to occur sometime this week.

Ballard hoped area residents would invest in a weather radio, which alerts owners to tornado warnings.

The siren will cover both the Orrville community and Keith High School, according to Dallas County Emergency Management Agency Director Brett Howard. A 70-decibel wail will be heard within a one-mile radius from the siren when it’s operational.

The $13,000 system is intended for residents outside since they usually don’t have outside televisions and radios to keep them informed.

Howard had budgeted one siren for the county this year and Orrville was the lucky recipient.

Orrville Mayor Gene McHugh couldn’t be happier with the decision.

Orrville has had a number of near misses with tornadoes in the past, he added, and the siren had been a long-time coming.

Albert J. Riddle, CPR coordinator for the Riveroaks Fire Department, said the siren is needed to alert Orrville residents to dangerous weather conditions. It will make his job easier because the siren will alert him to weather conditions first hand.