Why they never heard a tornado siren

Tornado siren. Outdoor warning sirens are not intended to be heard indoors.
W9LW photo

People often complain after tornado warnings that they never heard a siren. These people need to stop living in the 1950s and learn that “tornado sirens” aren’t meant to be heard indoors! Additionally, few (if any) jurisdictions have enough sirens to be audible throughout their areas, even outdoors.

“The idea that outdoor warning sirens are meant to alert people indoors is one of the dangerous tornado myths.”

The “Northwest Herald” of the northeastern Illinois city of Crystal Lake recently covered this matter after the National Weather Service issued a couple tornado warnings for its area.

The “Herald” correctly advised its readers that “the idea that outdoor warning sirens are meant to alert people indoors is one of the dangerous tornado myths.”

Let’s hope the people of Crystal Lake and elsewhere follow the article’s advice, stop foolishly relying on outdoor warning sirens and instead enter the 21st century by using weather alert radios and other modern, reliable warning technologies.

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