Some Grand Island residents are expressing concern about what they describe as explosive-like sounds around the town, sparking community-wide interest on the phenomenon.

The sounds have puzzled residents since around June, and occur at different times of the day, according to some residents.

"It's alarming, it's jolting. And the first time I heard it, I thought somebody had dropped a bomb out of an airplane. If you think people are exaggerating, they're not," said Grand Island resident Kelly Petrie.

One of the sounds was said to be heard at the last town board meeting on Monday night. Grand Island Town Councilmember Jennifer Baney said the “boom” was heard during the meeting.

"It was a little bit quieter from what I've heard at my home, but immediately my eyes popped open and I looked outside. It's almost familiar now because we have heard these over and over again," Petrie said.

The explosive-like sounds that have been heard on the south end of Grand Island, according to some residents. However, now they are said to be heard all around the island and picking up with frequency.

Residents say it’s tough to pinpoint where the sounds are coming from because not everyone has heard it.

Those who have say they come at varying levels of volume.

"I've heard it a couple of times over the last couple of weeks, but recently two days ago, at about 9:45 at night. It kind of rattled things in the house. I turned to my dad and asked him if he had heard that," said Grand Island resident Bernie Delong.

With speculations being discussed in person and on Facebook, many Grand Island residents want to get to the bottom of the cause.  

"It's obviously something pretty big to cause a rattle within inside the house. It's not any kind of firework I wouldn't think, unless it's a really massive firework, but other than that, I have no idea," Delong said. 

"We've had discussion with our police force, we've had discussion with our town engineer, (and) we've had discussions with everybody that we could get input from,” said Grand Island Town Supervisor Nathan McMurray. “Not many people have heard it within the town hall. Now I understand that the discussion is out there. We just have to keep out eye on it.”

If residents hear an explosive-like boom, they can call the Erie County Sheriff's Office's non-emergency number at 716-858-2903 with the time, date, and location.