Two new emergency sirens are helping bring better warning coverage to Minot, according to the City of Minot.

The installation of new sirens accommodates growth in north and south Minot with the addition of a new hospital and new high school. Citywide siren coverage now stands at 20 sirens, up from seven in 2007.

The 2007 sirens had deferred maintenance issues and the city had outgrown them, the City of Minot reported. A state Department of Emergency Services Hazard Mitigation grant replaced the original seven sirens and doubled the number. Additional Hazard MItigation funding has provided an 85% match to add more sirens.

The current, uniform siren system charges battery packs, enabling the sirens to work in emergencies regardless of whether an outside power source is available, the city stated.