Yesterday began as a calm, rainy November day. But as the afternoon hours drew closer West Michigan Weather was closely watching the increasing threat of rotation. As showers and storms moved on shore off of Lake Michigan we were watching several areas of weak rotation and finally, as the storms moved into Gratiot County, a Tornado Warning was issued.
After a community experiences a Tornado Warning we get many questions about why tornado sirens did not go off. We hope that this article can help answer some of those questions and provides some advice as to how residents should be properly alerted to severe weather warnings!
1. Not every community has outdoor warning (tornado) sirens.
2. Outdoor warning sirens are just that; OUTDOOR warning sirens and are designed to warn people outdoors of a potential hazard and the need to seek additional info.
3. Outdoor warning sirens should not be considered as a reliable way to receive warnings whilst indoors!
4. Each community has different criteria for activating their sirens. Just because the NWS issues a warning doesn't mean that a community will activate their sirens.
5. Sirens could be activated but may not be heard over the wind, hail, rain and/or tornado.
6. Power may be out in the area preventing sirens from activating.
The Bottom Line Is: ALWAYS be #WeatherAware and ALWAYS have multiple ways to receive life-saving weather warnings! NOAA Weather Radios, your cellphone's WEA system, and weather apps such as the "Red Cross" or "Severe Weather Alerts" are great options!
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