Here is the latest update:
http://centralkyweather.blogspot.com/2013/02/house-bill-93-tornado-siren-regulation.html
Previous discussion:
For years I have been bothered by the lack of consistency in the use of outdoor warning sirens in Kentucky during severe weather. Some counties only sound the sirens when the NWS issues a warning, while others sound the sirens whenever they want. This is a big problem.
Joplin, MO was hit by the deadliest tornado ever in 2011. Following the destruction, a study was done to find out where things went wrong. One of the findings was that the public was confused by the signals they were getting from the outdoor sirens. Either not getting a siren at all, or getting a siren, silence, then siren again for the "all clear" is very confusing.
We need to change the law in KY to prevent this. We need to standardize and regulate the use of the outdoor sirens for consistency. We need to make the National Weather Service the authority who issues the warnings that trigger the sirens, the same way that it is with every other form of receiving warnings.
I'm taking the lead on this and have helped write legislation that is being presented in the legislative session right now. The bill is House Bill 93 and you can follow it's progress on the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission website. If passed, this bill would make it so that no matter where you are in KY, if you hear the sirens sound during severe weather you will know that there IS an active warning and there IS a threat. No more untrained local officials sounding sirens and "crying wolf". I truly hope that we can get this bill passed.
Enjoy this warm weather while it lasts. It'll feel like winter again by the end of the month.
Take care,
Shawn
I appreciate your concern! my only complaint is that the NWS doesn't always know when a tornado is on the ground initially. therefore some locally trained officials should be able to sound that siren if a funnel cloud or tornado is spotted. It may be to late if we wait for a radar return!
ReplyDeleteThat's what spotters are for. They are supposed to report what's on the ground to the NWS so that a warning can be issued. Allowing the sirens to be sounded at the discretion of untrained persons causes more harm than good. Thank you for your thoughts. The legislation will probably not see the floor for a couple weeks.
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