Outdoor Warning Devices Activated for Tornado
Residents Urged to Purchase All Hazards Radios for Indoor Warning
Edmond's Emergency Management Department activated the city's Outdoor Warning Devices (OWD) during the severe weather Sunday evening when a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service included Edmond in the warning area.
"Sunday's storm was disorganizing and then reorganized quickly," said Matt Stillwell, Edmond's Director of Emergency Management. "At 1:37 a.m. we activated the outdoor warning devices, which are programmed to sound for three minutes."
A back-up activation signal caused some devices to sound again twenty minutes later. "Some residents didn't hear the initial warning but did hear the second warning so they thought we hadn't activated the warning system until after the tornado passed through our area."
Stillwell said Edmond is in the process of upgrading the outdoor warning system, including the controller software, which may have accounted for the second warning.
"We are installing ten to twelve outdoor warning devices this month and approximately 20 more in the next two years as part of a three-year, $500,000 project," Stillwell said. The project will replace older units and install additional devices in strategic locations to fill gaps and expand coverage throughout the city limits.
When Edmond's Outdoor Warning Devices are activated, the entire city-wide system is activated and all devices are sounded.
Because the Outdoor Warning Devices are not designed or intended for in-building coverage, they may not be heard when residents are inside their homes. Even though the new devices will project farther, they still will not warn residents who are indoors.
"The devices are intended to warn those who are outdoors and may not be aware of impending severe weather," Stillwell said. "Although residents may occasionally hear the outdoor warning devices inside their homes, they should never rely on them as their only warning mechanism when they are indoors."
Stillwell noted that houses and other buildings are better insulated than they used to be. In addition, the sounds of wind, thunder and rain that accompany a storm can make it impossible to hear the outdoor warning devices inside a house or business.
"For indoor warnings, we urge residents to monitor local radio or television coverage of weather changes. We also encourage everyone to purchase NOAA All Hazards radios that can be programmed to notify residents of tornados, ice storms, flooding, Amber Alerts and other emergencies in the area."
As part of National Severe Weather Month, Edmond's Emergency Management is partnering with the two local Wal-Mart stores to encourage residents to purchase and program the NOAA All Hazards (weather) radios.
Starting at 9 a.m. Saturday both stores will sell the radios at a discounted price and Emergency Management personnel will be available to assist with programming the radios. They will also distribute Personal Emergency Plans and other information to help residents plan for severe weather.
The Personal Emergency Plans are available on the city's website at edmondok.com. Residents can also contact Emergency Management to obtain a copy of the booklet by calling 359-4564.
Edmond Emergency Management provides registration for storm shelters and a program to notify residents of severe weather during an outdoor event. Information about these programs is also available at edmondok.com.
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Issued: April 02, 2008
