tornadoes and weather alert radios

[Tuckervill]

I'm just appalled that if they HAVE the system that they don't USE it.

We check the radar all the time to see what's happening when the weather is iffy. At times, at night, the sirens will go off before we know anything's coming, although there is rarely a day when we don't know whether there is a chance of thunderstorms. I've been grateful that the city I live in is on the ball that way. If we are awakened at night by thunder or lightening and don't hear sirens, the first thing I do is turn on the TV and see if they're talking about anything (I check local stations first, and then Tulsa who will always be on the air when there are storms). If not, I will occasionally just check the radar on the interactive weather channel or online or on my blackberry. I usually want to know if it's going to be an extended storm or just a squall line. (We have lots of old oaks around our house.)

I agree that there is a measure of personal responsibility involved--but not everyone is as wired as we are. That's why we have sirens. If the powers-that-be aren't willing to use them properly, then I'd probably have to do more to change that. But, that's behavior I just wouldn't expect in my area of tornado alley!

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

I live in the same county as Jarrell, Texas. In fact I am only about 20 miles away. Google Jarrell to read about the two large tornadoes that have decimated the town in 1989 (a F3) and again in 1997 (a F5 with 27 deaths). Our county DOES NOT have sirens. Our county uses the local media for information and that is it. The only thing I must say is my cable company does have a pretty good thing, if you are watching DVR during a warning a red message comes up on top of your recorded program telling you the current alert. That is something needed since I rarely watch live TV.

I grew up in Texas, I know what to do. I am amazed at people who move here who do not learn what to do in a weather emergency.