SPECIAL REPORT: Tornadoes Be Warned - Part 1

by Andrew Sweeney (aesweeney@wsbt.com)

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Goshen is considering upgrading 10 of its aging tornado sirens and potentially adding anywhere from four to eight more sirens. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT Weather

Story Created: May 18, 2009 at 3:07 PM EST

Story Updated: May 28, 2009 at 12:44 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Seconds count every time severe weather threatens. Whether it's dangerous hail, strong winds or deadly tornadoes you need to know what kind of weather is headed your way.

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The National Weather Service, the media and local governments are responsible for getting you the information you need to know and the way you get that information is always improving. One line of defense is tornado sirens.

Tornado sirens are generally sounded when a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service. Some local communities are adding and upgrading their siren systems.

"I've got one that's down and we're going to replace a couple here coming up in the next couple months. And then next year I have three more that I'll add into the county someplace," said Paul Young, the LaPorte County Emergency Management Director.

Plymouth is in the process of replacing one siren and adding three additional sirens to better cover the city. The plan was set into motion about three years ago.

"Soon after the 2005 Evansville tornadoes that killed 20, I think 20 some people," said Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter.

St. Joseph County last added tornado sirens in 2000 and currently has 67.

"When you look at the population for St. Joe County we're probably not where we'd like to be but we feel very comfortable with the number for sirens we have in place now," said Luther Taylor, the St. Joseph County Emergency Management Director.

St. Joseph County in Indiana, Starke County, Fulton County and LaPorte counties all have countywide siren systems in place.

"Centrally handled out of the 911 system. They get all their information from NOAA," added Young.

When a tornado warning is issued for one of those counties, all the sirens in that county will sound.

While some counties are adding sirens others like St. Joseph are not. The bottom line is sirens can't protect you all the time.

"A very basic weather radio can certainly provide the basic same protection that we provide," said Taylor.

Young agrees.

"It's a wonderful investment for probably $30. Those things are accurate. You can program them by putting in your own zip code and they won't wake you up in the middle of the night unless it’s your zip code."

The information is out there and there are several ways to get that information from WSBT.

We can send a text message to your cell phone alerting you to severe weather. WSBT offers this for free but your standard text message rates with your cell phone company still apply. You can sign up on the Weather Section of WSBT.com. Also the WSBT Stormtracker Channel, 22.3, always has the latest watches and warnings for our area.

Check all the area watches and warnings

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