The noise of cicadas is incredibly loud, with residents in one South Carolina county mistaking it for sirens and loud roars.
The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office took to Facebook to clarify that the sound was actually male cicadas that had been dormant for over a decade, trying to attract mates.
Sheriff Lee Foster said that some residents called deputies to inquire about the noise coming from the county, where the loudest cicadas were making their way through the area.
Trillions of periodic cicadas with red eyes have been emerging from underground in the eastern United States this month, following a 13- or 17-year cycle.
Their collective songs can reach the noise level of jet engines, with scientists studying them often wearing earmuffs to protect their ears.
After experiencing the noise firsthand, Foster now understands the need for ear protection.
“While some may find the noise annoying, it is not harmful to humans or pets,” Foster reassured county residents in a statement. “Unfortunately, it’s just the sound of nature.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com
