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