Archive for Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tornado siren policy revised
May 22, 2008
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County to change tornado siren policy
In the wake of damaging storms earlier this month, Douglas County will change its outdoor warning siren policy. Enlarge video
The next time the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Douglas County, sirens will be sounded.
That’s according to a revised policy favored by the Douglas County Emergency Management advisory board and county commissioners.
“We listened to the public,” emergency management director Teri Smith told commissioners on Wednesday.
Emergency management was criticized by some earlier this month when sirens were not sounded even though tornado warnings were issued by the weather service. The storms, which included tornados, struck during the early morning hours of May 2.
The policy in place called for a “local determination” of a tornado to be made before sirens are sounded. That determination involved several considerations, including but not limited to a weather service warning.
Commissioners Bob Johnson, Jere McElhaney and Charles Jones said they supported the revised policy. A formal resolution adopting the new policy will be presented later to commissioners for a vote.
Three local residents who spoke at the commission meeting also said they favored the new policy.
“We thought at least at night the sirens ought to be sounded. There is no way to see (tornadoes) at night,” said Ted Boyle, president of the North Lawrence Improvement Association.
Emergency management has the capability of sounding the sirens in certain areas of the county or they can be sounded throughout the county, as circumstances warrant, Smith said. She said she thinks the revised policy will lead to sirens being sounded more often.
Between 1989 and 2007, there have been 36 tornado warnings issued for Douglas County, or about two per year, emergency management records show.
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22 May 2008 at 8:19 a.m.
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Poon (Anonymous) says…
A well regulated Warning System, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and hear Alarms, shall not be infringed.
22 May 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
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KUweatherman (Curtis Lange) says…
The people spoke and leadership listened! Good job Douglas County, you did the right thing.
sidenote: We hear the sirens more for the 'tests' than we do actual tornado warnings.
22 May 2008 at 11:24 a.m.
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rodentgirl16 (Anonymous) says…
Yay! Thank you for listening Douglas County Commission!
22 May 2008 at 11:33 a.m.
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Moderateguy (Anonymous) says…
Thank you! That simple change was all we were asking for.
22 May 2008 at 11:42 a.m.
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hawkperchedatriverfront (Anonymous) says…
So now, when KANU says to take cover, there will be sirens blown as well.
22 May 2008 at 12:05 p.m.
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sharper (Anonymous) says…
My family and friends are relieved. Thanks for listening!
22 May 2008 at 12:09 p.m.
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road_Runner (Anonymous) says…
Good to hear and thank you DCC!
Tornado warnings which include the city of Lawrence or Douglas County in general are such a rare occurrence that having them going off everytime there's a warning isn't really that big of an increase.
22 May 2008 at 12:27 p.m.
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mistygreen (Anonymous) says…
Thanks to all that supported this policy change.
We (hubby & I) attended the meeting last night, and while only 3 people spoke in favor of the change, there were others there are as well. I'm sure all would of provided comments, but it was made clear that the commission was in favor of the change.
22 May 2008 at 12:33 p.m.
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dialupandy (Andrew Stahmer) says…
Let's just do to NWS what the fire dept. is doing for false alarms. $2,500 for each NWS tornado warning that produces no touchdown!
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/may/22…
22 May 2008 at 1:41 p.m.
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
I still get to stand out on my backporch when it goes off, right?
22 May 2008 at 4:05 p.m.
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Pywacket (Anonymous) says…
TOB~ Wave if you see me flying by after I've been plucked from my deck and carried across the county!
22 May 2008 at 5:20 p.m.
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Lynn731 (Anonymous) says…
What a unique idea, listen to the people you are paid by, and are working for. We should try that more often. For instance, the people didn't approve a 50% raise for these comissioners right at Christmas time. Nor did the people wish for the Lecompton bridge to be totally closed when a new deck was put on. They may have learned a little something, they left one lane open while the under carriage of the bridge is presently being painted, and at least one of them is not running again because he knows he won't get elected. Sometimes it takes a while for things to sink in. Thank you, Lynn
22 May 2008 at 11:20 p.m.
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blakus (Anonymous) says…
Can't wait until the sirens sound when there isn't a tornado and people whine about how they had to get up at 2 a.m. for a false alarm. Oh well, better safe than sorry. Personally, I think the change in policy is a bad idea.
23 May 2008 at 12:12 a.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
Poon (Anonymous) says…
A well regulated Warning System, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and hear Alarms, shall not be infringed.
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That there's funny I dont care who you are!
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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…
I still get to stand out on my backporch when it goes off, right?
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And that was LOL gg.
23 May 2008 at 12:34 a.m.
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KJones (Anonymous) says…
I am very pleased with this….even if I have to wake up twice a year for nothing, far worth the sacrafice