Tuesday, June 15, 1999
Despite calls, twisters didn't hit Boone Co.
Officials: Warning given as precaution
BY MOLLY HARPER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — The weather has made people a little edgy in Boone County.
In the last two months, two calls have come reporting funnel clouds that Emergency Management personnel say didn't exist.
Emergency Management Services Director Bill Appleby said the activation of the county's emergency warning sirens Sunday night had nothing to do with the supposed tornado sightings. The sirens were set off before the call came in.
“People may have been made sensitive to the weather because of what's happened this year, and maybe the sirens made them think they saw a tornado,” he said.
Though there was no report of severe thunderstorms or tornadoes for Boone from the National Weather Service, Mr. Appleby said he made a discretionary call to sound the alarm because of severe weather in surrounding counties.
“We believed it would be a good idea for people to seek shelter, turn on the radio and get more information,” he said. “And that's what the sirens are really for. If we waited until we spotted a tornado to set them off, it would be too late.”
Deputy Director Dan Maher said the office sometimes makes discretionary calls to activate the system when the public reports funnel clouds, hail, heavy winds or tree damage, even if the weather service hasn't confirmed it.
“Unfortunately, a couple of people have gotten a little paranoid and have seen what may have resembled funnel clouds,” Mr. Maher said. “But keep in mind these people probably aren't trained and don't know exactly what to look for.” Mr. Appleby said the reports are coming from the Camp Ernst Road area, but he doesn't know if they're being made by the same person.
“At this point, we'd like to believe they're not prank calls,” he said.
Mr. Maher said sounding the alarm in less than severe weather could lead to a “cry-wolf” effect where people no longer pay attention to the siren. He said the problem could mean a re-evaluation of the system's activation policies.
“We hope they take shelter long before we have to sound the alarm,” he said. “But if a storm comes up quickly, we want to be able to get their attention.”
Hospitals give critical care to Y2K plans
Luken: Council has him 'pumped'
No replacement yet for Luken at Channel 5
Too many deer parked here
Boy's eye for detail helps nab suspects
Father gets prison time
Help comes to disabled people
Highway no toll on Butler drivers
Teacher owes to Rosa Parks
Worm dirties work week
Dial 'N' for Naked Cowboy
Oldenberg loses fizz, files for reorganization
President plans July 23 stop here
Research backs benefits of soy
Youth shot in Columbia Twp.; suspects sought
100 years, 10 stars
Controversy surrounds man's arrest
County wins in Supreme Court
Guilty plea in creek slaying
Stores sop up damage
Donation will buy 4 cameras
Lakota to dissect school day
Lt. governor talks school safety
Newport cool to idea of 911 study
Seniors in public housing complain
2 men indicted for in audio thefts
Center project stymies council
Despite calls, twisters didn't hit Boone Co.
Former GOP leader Eric Deters to run for Kenton attorney in 2002
Gannett unveils ethics rules
Kentucky teen struck by lightning
Lebanon looks at zone changes
Limo owner convicted of evidence tampering
Mediation ordered in Justin case
State recommends 12th St. plan
Symmes Township administrator resigns
Vote soon on Fort Wash. Way cost hikes
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
