New flag indicates terrorist risk level

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

County Executive Kenneth Rogers shows the new flag underneath the Stars and Stripes in the display in front of the administration building. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

Warren County residents may notice a new flag beneath the Stars and Stripes when they visit the administration building. This flag is part of a plan by County Executive Kenneth Rogers to alert the public of the status of our terrorist risk level set by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).

“This just gives the citizens of Warren County the opportunity, if they want, to drive by and see what kind of risk level we’re at,” said Rogers.

The flags, which are already in use in some other counties, come in five colors which indicate various levels of risk as set by TEMA in conjunction with the Homeland Security Advisory System Notification program.

The colors and the levels they represent are:

• Green – low risk.

• Blue – guarded.

• Yellow – elevated risk.

• Orange – high risk.

• Red – severe risk.

This new flag will be displayed under the American flag on one of the three flag poles in front of the administration building along with the Tennessee flag and the Warren County flag.

Rogers noted that even though there is no specific threat locally, the flags will still serve to inform the public of possible problems – no matter how remote.

“I think it makes them aware of what risk we’re under,” Rogers said. “It might not hit Warren County, but I’d like the people to be aware of it so if they see something happen that’s out of the ordinary they can report it.”