INDIANAPOLIS -- The sounds of sirens will be heard across the state on Wednesday as Indiana heads into what could be a volatile spring.

As part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, there will be a statewide test of tornado sirens and other communications systems on Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening.

That test will be conducted by the National Weather Service in conjunction with Indiana State Police, the state Department of Homeland Security, the Indiana Broadcasters Association and other groups.

In Marion County, there are 170 sirens (List: Marion County Warning Siren Locations) covering 97 percent of the population.

In Bartholomew County, Emergency Management Director Dennis Moats told 6News' Jennifer Carmack that the county's 14 sirens are checked daily through dispatch and monthly by sounding the alarms.

For those out of range of sirens, the county is counting on e-mail alerts and cell phones to help sound the alarm.

"We found out in our flood in 2008 that cell phones themselves weren't really reliable because of the usage, but the one thing that always got through it seems was text messaging," he said.

Putnam County also has a text message and e-mail system ready to go.

In Johnson County, there are 28 warning sirens with four more on the way.

"Most of them are (working, while) some of them are being upgraded. We're hoping that the two we're waiting on parts for will be ready for tomorrow's test," said Johnson County EMA Director Tug Sutton.

The goal of the test is to remind Hoosiers of the dangers of flooding, severe thunderstorms and fast-developing tornadoes, and how they can protect themselves and their families.

Although the sirens and alerts will reach most Hoosiers, officials encouraged everyone to know the signs of severe weather and have a plan.

"You know the best thing that anybody can do, other than buy themselves a weather radio, is to be aware of their surroundings," Sutton said.

RTV6 will be airing several special stories this week about the various weather hazards during the spring.