Flood warning sirens sounded near the Gilboa Dam for the first time since Tropical Storm Irene, but it was just a test. Our Maria Valvanis has more.

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SCHOHARIE COUNTY, N.Y. -- Officials held a press conference at the Esperance Fire Station earlier today to initiate the re-start of routine siren testing. The sound made its way through the valley earlier, ensuring residents that all sirens are back up and running.

Four of the 20 sirens surrounding the Gilboa Dam area were badly damaged last August as a result of Tropical Storm Irene. Now, they have all been fixed and will begin sounding off monthly to ensure they work properly in case of another emergency.

Schoharie County Under Chief Ron Stevens said the sirens have not gone off since last August, when they warned residents to evacuate the area and get to safety.

"It was certainly a sound of horror, and I'm hoping today this is received as a welcome sign again. That every month they will go off one day of the month and that this shouldn't be heard as a sound of horror - this should be a welcome sign that could have possibly saved lives," said Stevens.

Along with replacing the damaged sirens, they have also updated the rest of the sirens to make them louder. This way, surrounding counties will hopefully be able to hear them, too.