Van Buren County Looking Into Implementing a Warning Siren Following Storm
By: Josh Berry
Updated: June 4, 2012
Cleanup continued Monday night after a strong storm blew through Independence County leaving thousands without power overnight.
The storm ran through with very little warning which is why communities are thankful there were no deaths and only minor injuries.
The big question left posed to the county: Would we have a different story to share had it been an actual tornado in an area with no tornado warning in place?
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office confirmed 13 people went missing after the storm, they said many of which were riding ATVs in the woods.
They also commented had these people had more warning they likely would not have gotten stuck in a storm that caused some damage.
Even homeowners said they were caught off guard by the storm.
"Probably 30 seconds and it was all over," said Shirley homeowner, Michael Ward.
Ward just brought home a new truck Friday. Sunday the storm destroyed it.
"Noticed the wind starting picking up and the trees started laying over and then I heard a big crunch and when I did I looked around and a tree had fell on this white truck," Ward explained.
When a storm like the one that blew through the area Sunday sneaks up on the community, authorities emergency crews said it's hard to notify people properly.
"It's hard without a warning system," said Shirley Fire Chief, Mike Worthington.
The county has utilized a system called Code Red, an emergency notification system that sends alerts through phone communications. In some cases however, they said it hasn't been enough.
A lack of county funds left people without a warning for this storm.
As a result, the county is looking into ways to dig up that money.
"I've been talking to the mayor and fire chief here in Shirley and we're going to explore the possibility of looking at a siren warning system," said Van Buren County Judge Roger Hooper.
Michael Ward expected the storm but never expected the damage that followed. He likes the idea of a warning siren only if the community takes action when they hear it.
"A warning system would probably help in some instances but it's just if you're going to take it seriously or not."
Until the county can work out the financial means of acquiring the warning system, they're sticking to cleanup, which has become as much of a community effort as spreading the word about the storm .
"We are a volunteer community and it's really shown what we can do if we work together," said Judge Hooper.
Ward added, "I just thank God that everyone was okay. I think the rest of it can be put back together... As they always say, we'll survive."
Judge Hooper said about 200 homes still remain without power and crews are working to restore it.. They should have those folks up and running by Tuesday night.
The storm ran through with very little warning which is why communities are thankful there were no deaths and only minor injuries.
The big question left posed to the county: Would we have a different story to share had it been an actual tornado in an area with no tornado warning in place?
The Van Buren County Sheriff's Office confirmed 13 people went missing after the storm, they said many of which were riding ATVs in the woods.
They also commented had these people had more warning they likely would not have gotten stuck in a storm that caused some damage.
Even homeowners said they were caught off guard by the storm.
"Probably 30 seconds and it was all over," said Shirley homeowner, Michael Ward.
Ward just brought home a new truck Friday. Sunday the storm destroyed it.
"Noticed the wind starting picking up and the trees started laying over and then I heard a big crunch and when I did I looked around and a tree had fell on this white truck," Ward explained.
When a storm like the one that blew through the area Sunday sneaks up on the community, authorities emergency crews said it's hard to notify people properly.
"It's hard without a warning system," said Shirley Fire Chief, Mike Worthington.
The county has utilized a system called Code Red, an emergency notification system that sends alerts through phone communications. In some cases however, they said it hasn't been enough.
A lack of county funds left people without a warning for this storm.
As a result, the county is looking into ways to dig up that money.
"I've been talking to the mayor and fire chief here in Shirley and we're going to explore the possibility of looking at a siren warning system," said Van Buren County Judge Roger Hooper.
Michael Ward expected the storm but never expected the damage that followed. He likes the idea of a warning siren only if the community takes action when they hear it.
"A warning system would probably help in some instances but it's just if you're going to take it seriously or not."
Until the county can work out the financial means of acquiring the warning system, they're sticking to cleanup, which has become as much of a community effort as spreading the word about the storm .
"We are a volunteer community and it's really shown what we can do if we work together," said Judge Hooper.
Ward added, "I just thank God that everyone was okay. I think the rest of it can be put back together... As they always say, we'll survive."
Judge Hooper said about 200 homes still remain without power and crews are working to restore it.. They should have those folks up and running by Tuesday night.
