Here’s the philosophical question — if warnings sirens go off in the middle of a severe thunderstorm, will anyone hear them? According to many in Emporia on Wednesday night, the answer is no.
Emporia was caught in the middle of a fast-developing cell that prompted the National Weather Service to issue a tornado warning based on rotation seen on radar. Around 5 p.m., it issued the warning for central Lyon County.
“The storm came up very quickly,” said Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith. “It formed up over the top of town. ... There was no watch or warning.”
Usually, the National Weather Service and storm spotters are watching storms as they approach Emporia, giving the NWS the chance to issue warnings in advance.
According to Smith, all sirens in Emporia sounded. The upgraded system includes monitors in the dispatch center indicating sirens have sounded. After the storms passed, the department did a quick test and all sirens were working.
Still, Smith heard complaints that people could not hear the sirens.
“People need to realize with 60 miles per hour wind and rain, they sound different than when we test them,” Smith said.
Also, the sirens are intended as an outdoor warning system. They are not meant to be heard inside houses.
“That’s why we encourage people to have a weather radio,” Smith said, “to be aware and responsible for themselves.”
jmac (anonymous) says...
I heard them in my house loud and clear. Even over the tv.
June 17, 2010 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
I was still at work and heard them very clearly. Of course it helps when one of the sirens is less than 1/2 a block away. I did step outside right before they quit and had to cover my ears, it was extremely loud.
I don't think most people realize that they are for outside warning.
June 17, 2010 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dj2879 (anonymous) says...
I heard them, but barely. With the rain and the construction across the street from my work, it was hard to tell they were going. Just goes to show I should listen to the radio at work too! I will say that I have text alerts from WIBW and the sirens had been going off for several minutes before the text message came through.
June 18, 2010 at 12:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
The best investment to make is a weather radio and keep it on this time of year. I bought mine at Reebles for only 23 bucks, money well spent because it worked for me that day.
Need a great father's day gift? Why not a weather radio? They make great wedding gifts too. No, I don't own stock in weather radios.
June 18, 2010 at 6:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gg (anonymous) says...
BULL, my weather alert radio went off as well as channel 13 warning Emporia to take cover and there was no siren for approx 5 minutes after those two warnings.
Do not tell me the sirens sounded in time, I live within one block of one located on Woodland Street and I was at the back door looking at the sky and there was NO SIREN until the storm was well past Emporia. Even the 911 operator acknowledged the sirens did not go off in time when I called to inquire as to why the sirens failed to sound.
If this had been an actual tornado that hit within the city limits the death toll would have been very high if it was a powerful F3, F4 or F5.
June 18, 2010 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
A coworker heard them, in our very loud work environment. It was disappointing to me that they weren't sounded until the threat had already passed well over us. Had it produced a damaging tornado we would have been out of luck. As has been posted above, warnings went out five minutes earlier from Topeka?
June 18, 2010 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
What is completely amazing to me is most of you are depending on a government weather service who's prediction rate is dismal to say the least. Who else but a weatherman could make the wrong predictions 70 % of the time and still have a job.
June 18, 2010 at 11:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
If you yourself can look outside and see an ominous looking sky, why on earth are you waiting for someone else to tell you to find shelter?
It sounds a lot like: I could see that it didn't look good outside, we live in tornado alley, and storms are pretty unpredictable, but I am going to wait until I get an official go ahead before finding shelter. Is that what you all are saying? Because that is literally what it looks like.
June 18, 2010 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barefooting (anonymous) says...
We barely heard them, but the sky was bad enough to make me hurry home before the sirens sounded. Yes, I can decide for myself when the sky looks bad and make plans, but unfortunately there are plenty of people who work indoors or dont have the chance to watch the sky and predict a storm, thats what the sirens are for and as far as I m concerned the sirens should not be intended only to be heard by those outside. There are plenty of people who rely on this warnings because they are physically unable to watch the sky.
June 18, 2010 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chiefsfan (anonymous) says...
If you're unable to watch the sky, then that is why you should be listening to the TV or radio/weather radio.
Did someone actually say they called 911 cause they couldn't hear the sirens? Way to go!!! Hope they weren't too busy answering your call and couldn't answer the call where someone's life depended upon it!!
June 18, 2010 at 7:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
Does anyone know how loud, and at what pitch a siren would have to sound at, in order to be heard indoors and out? Good luck to those who live close to one! Homes are designed to be somewhat sound deafening so you aren't bothered by everything going on outside. If you work indoors, your place of employment should have ways to be informed of inclement weather. Having a weather radio is invaluable, especially if you want the latest information, however they are not perfect, as even they can be delayed in giving out those important warnings. Anyone who lives here should know how unpredictable the weather can be, and even if the sirens go off, they may already be too late.
Sometimes you are going to have to rely on yourself to stay safe, because even with all of the technology out there, our own eyes and ears are our best defense.
June 21, 2010 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )