MERRIMAN, Neb. - The village of Merriman, Nebraska will soon have a new way to alert residents of severe weather, thanks to a federal grant.

Cherry County has received a $35,000 FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant to install a warning siren in Merriman. The project includes a non-federal cost share of about $8,000.

“There’s no early warning system for the people in Merriman. We really need to get this in place,” said Cherry County Commissioner Mike McConaughey.

“With all of the recent severe weather, in my opinion, this is really needed,” added Cherry County Emergency Manager Jessica Coyle.

Coyle noted that Crookston is currently the only other village in the county without a siren.

The region has recently experienced a string of dangerous weather events, including multiple tornadoes. Just this month a tornado touched down north of Mullen and another south of Valentine. Across the border in South Dakota, several communities have also reported damage from tornadoes, hail and high winds.