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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
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OBEY SIREN CALL County ready to sound warning if tornado strikes Senior Reporter Hot summer afternoons, though a welcome relief from cool spring days, can come with a downside - violent weather.
As the recent tornadoes in Wadena and Hubbard counties confirm, the lakes area is no stranger to severe thunderstorms. The most recent tornado touchdown in the immediate area was the 2001 tornado in south Brainerd.
Tornado frequency
Between 1950 and 2007, Minnesota counties have witnessed a number of tornadoes.
Crow Wing County - 22
Cass County - 20
Morrison County - 19
Todd County - 17
Aitkin County - 14
Mille Lacs County - 12
Wadena County - 11
The counties with the highest number of tornadoes are Polk County at 52 and Ottertail County at 46.
There were 18 tornadoes in Minnesota in 2007, the lowest since 1990, when there were 12.
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John Bowen, Crow Wing County emergency management director, said with the recent stormy weather across the nation and the state, violent weather has been on people's minds.
Crow Wing County has 33 outdoor sirens. Bowen said the sirens are designed to warn people who are outside to take shelter and seek more information about potentially dangerous weather approaching.
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John Bowen, Crow Wing County emergency management director, said the county will error on the side of caution when sounding the warning siren to give residents time to seek shelter in the face of threatening weather. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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Bowen said when residents hear the siren they should seek shelter and more information from the radio or television.
"I think it's better to error on the side of caution," Bowen said. "The outdoor warning sirens are an additional tool to have."
A tornado watch indicates an area where conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop. When severe weather has been reported or is known to be moving in a particular area, a tornado warning is issued.
Warnings are based on the National Weather Service in Duluth. The warning may be indicated by radar, which can spot rotation in a storm system, or by weather spotters on the ground. Bowen said city, county or public safety officials may request the siren activation or it may be triggered by trained Skywarn storm spotters. The county has the ability to activate individual sirens in the county or separately.
The sirens are typically in the more highly populated areas of the county. Townships and cities purchase the sirens, which may cost $20,000. The county tests them monthly and activates them in a emergency. Bowen said the cities of Nisswa and Breezy Point have been looking at the possibility of purchasing sirens.
The sirens are designed to run about four minutes. If a weather emergency is ongoing or intensifying, the siren may be sounded again. But this is not to be confused with an all-clear signal. The county does not issue an all-clear.
And in a storm, Bowen asks residents not to call 911 unless they have an emergency. Even as skies are black with storm clouds, Bowen said 911 operators have been called by residents asking if the county officials knew the sirens were going off. Other residents have called 911 to ask when the power is going back on. Bowen said non emergency calls should be directed to the regular office number.
Bowen recommends residents have an emergency kit set up for severe weather and he advises getting a weather radio, which can be programmed to towers serving the lakes area. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio offers continuous weather information and can be programmed to specific towers. The average cost is $30. Some radios provide an alarm when warnings or emergency information are broadcast.
On average, Bowen said Crow Wing County has had a tornado every three years since 1950.
"We're in a pattern now with a lot of moisture," Bowen said. "If it keeps up we could have a busy summer."
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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