Emergency personnel on top of weather concerns
With the numerous recent outbreaks of severe weather in our area, there has been much discussion — and confusion — on social media and elsewhere about alerts and notifications for citizens in the area.
To address those concerns, Bolivar County Emergency Operations Director, Michael Lamb, City of Cleveland Police Chief, Dudley Tribble, and City of Cleveland Fire Inspector, Greg Jackson met with the Bolivar Bullet on Monday to discuss weather preparedness and address concerns for the citizens of Cleveland and Bolivar County.
“There was a lot of social media chatter about the weather and sirens last week following the April 6 watches and warnings,” said Tribble. “That is why we wanted to inform the public about the weather, sirens and ways you can be more weather informed in the future.”
The first thing the three officials wanted the citizens to know is the difference between a tornado watch and a warning.
“A tornado watch is the possibility that weather conditions are favorable to produce a tornado in our area,” said Lamb. “A tornado warning means that either a tornado has been spotted or there has been radar indication of rotation in our area. It is important to know the difference between those two warning alerts.”
The City of Cleveland has six working tornado sirens placed around town located on or at: Bishop Road, Presbyterian Day School, CRA on Yale Street, the Animal Shelter and Amzie Moore Park.
Surrounding communities such as Boyle, Merigold, Benoit and Renova also all have working tornado sirens with Boyle and Merigold actually having two tornado shelters. Rosedale, Shaw and Alligator have tornado sirens as well, but they are not currently working.
“Outdoor tornado sirens exist to alert people who are outside that there is a possibility of severe weather,” said Tribble. “The sirens are not meant to be heard indoors. These sirens can be heard, if outdoors, for several blocks. They were strategically placed in locations so that every citizen of Cleveland can hear the sirens and be alerted for potential weather emergencies.”
The six tornado sirens located in the city limits of Cleveland are tested every Saturday at noon, weather permitting.
“It is important for everyone to know the testing times of the sirens as to not be alarmed,” said Tribble. “Each siren is tested and a report is logged with date and time of the testing for our own records and the records for the service company that maintains and fixes the warning sirens. If we perform a random testing other than a Saturday, we issue a notice on the City of Cleveland MS Police Department Facebook page and notify schools and other officials of the random testing – but that is rare.”
Another question that came up often on social media regarding the sirens is who or what agency activates the sirens? According to Lamb, he can activate all of them in case of emergency, but the Cleveland Police Department activates the city’s sirens.
“We live in a day and age where information is so readily available and at our fingertips regarding the weather,” said Jackson. “Each emergency personnel department is trying to keep everyone as safe as possible at all times. We want to make sure that everyone knows that these sirens are being maintained, serviced and tested on a regular basis. Unfortunately, they are mechanical and things can happen and this is not our sole source of warnings. We encourage our citizens to use all avenues that are available to be warned about the weather.”
Lamb added, “These sirens can go down at any time and my department at the BCEOC has several avenues that can be a part of staying alert: check the Bolivar County Emergency Operations Facebook page for daily updates during weather outbreaks, social media is a great resource for information on the weather, and making sure your cell phone is set to receive weather alerts. If you would like to receive weather emails from the BCEOC you can email mlamb@co.bolivar.ms.us to be added to the weather alert email group. I begin sending out emails to the media, school superintendents, mayors, board of supervisors, newspaper, first responders, hospitals as soon as I get notification from US National Weather Service of Jackson and MEMA, 3-4 days before a weather event is scheduled to happen. This email will keep you informed and up-to-date.”
“The ultimate goal is to give people enough warning to get to a safe place before a tornado reaches our area,” added Tribble. “As soon as we move from a watch to a warning we will activate the sirens.”
If you are still anxious about severe weather, you can purchase a NOLA weather radio for less than $40, the three added.
“The NOLA radios are basically indoor sirens for people who are more concerned about severe weather,” added Lamb.