COLUMBUS – Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM-HS) Director, Gary Holland reported that on Monday, August 28, 2006, at 6:46pm, the National Weather Service (MWS) issued a tornado warning for Franklin County with a possibility of a developing tornado in the Grove City area. The Columbus Fire Alarm Office was notified and activated the139 sirens in the county for the initial three minutes.
"When personnel arrived at the Emergency Operations Center, they took over the activation sequence, as planned," Holland said. A second siren activation occurred at 6:55pm and another at 7:03pm. Sirens were activated five times during the tornado warning. The NWS tornado warning expired at 8:01 pm.
Typically, activation is as follows: sound wail tone for three minutes, then a brief voice announcement in each of four directions, which takes about five minutes, then silence for two minutes while the batteries recharge. The sequence is repeated.
Of the 139 sirens, among the largest number in the state, two were out of service. Those were: Sullivant Ave., east of Georgesville Road, awaiting repair parts and Sullivant and Eureka Ave., due to age and unavailable parts.
The latter siren, according to FCEM-HS Warning Manager, Art Baker, is scheduled for replacement within two weeks and moved to a nearby location because of safety and security reasons.
During those agency activations Monday, batteries exploded on three sirens and one blew a fuse.
FCEMA-HS personnel received 15-20 telephone calls and six emails concerning the sirens. Most of the complaints pertained to residents not being able to hear a siren, could not understand the voice, or a siren tone was either too low or too loud.
The agency responded to all questions, explaining that as sirens experience mechanical failure, they get them back in service as soon as possible.
Within 48 hours, all four in-service warning sirens were repaired and tested.
All who contacted FCEM-HS were thanked for reporting the problems since technical malfunctions do not always show on a computer check. Agency personnel explained that everyone should have a weather alert radio at home, because the sirens are designed for people who are outdoors. If residents hear them in their homes, it is due to their proximity to the siren.
Currently, in partnership with Brown Township and the city of Columbus, FCEM&HS is installing nine new warning sirens. Three additional sirens will be in Brown Township, three old and costly Thunderbolts be replaced in Columbus, and three additional sirens will be installed in Columbus.
By our survey, residents in Franklin County still need115 sirens to completely cover the county, according to Baker.
"If they were purchased today, the cost is estimated at $2,500,000.00. However, adding 20 additional sirens, "he said, "would cover the most critical populated areas."
The following are safety suggestions the public should understand and follow in a tornado emergency:
If outside, take shelter immediately. If caught outside, lie flat in a low lying area and make yourself as small as possible. Do not stop to watch a tornado.
If the weather is bad and the sirens sound, go to the innermost and lowest possible floor. Take cover under something sturdy. Stay away from auditoriums, cafeterias, elevators, gymnasiums, as well as mobile homes and automobiles.
It is also a good idea to assemble a survival kit with such items as water, a portable radio, batteries, flashlights, food, first aid kit, extra clothing, and blankets.
Although the sirens may stop sounding and the warning expires, it does not mean that the danger has passed. Heavy rains, hail, lightning, and high winds accompany most tornados. Stay inside until you hear on the radio or television that the severe weather has passed.
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