My 2 Cents: Tornado Sirens as Storm Sirens

By Kelly Ogle, News 9

A few years ago a big tornado siren went up about a half a mile from our house, and I'm glad to have it. When it goes off, I know it is serious business.

Now city leaders across the metro are hashing out a plan to increase the warnings, triggering the sirens if there are winds over 75 miles an hour in the area, or hail larger than two inches.

The idea gave me pause, because the last thing we want to do is water down the intended purpose of the sirens. That's to warn people about the imminent threat of a tornado. When was the last time we had someone seriously hurt by hail or 75 mile an hour winds?

I talked to the city manager about that and he pointed out that those weather events still carry significant danger for people who are outdoors, and for property.

He's right, I wouldn't want to be caught outside in that kind of pounding hail like one jogger was, or risk being injured by debris riding hurricane strength winds.

I guess I could get use to thinking of the sirens as a warning that a "damaging" storm is approaching.

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