Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Alerts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents question tornado siren absence; 911 says no active NWS alert was received
Summary
During public comment a resident asked why tornado sirens did not sound during the weekend storm; officials said the county 911 dispatch center triggers sirens only after receiving an active tornado message from the National Weather Service and acknowledged NWS later determined the event was a tornado.
A public commenter asked why the tornado siren failed to sound during an EF1 event that hit Defiance the prior weekend, prompting an explanation from city staff and a discussion of warning systems.
An official explained that countywide tornado sirens are activated by the 911 dispatch center only after it receives an "active tornado" message from the National Weather Service. "They did not receive a message that there was an active tornado," the official said, adding that the National Weather Service later reviewed the event and determined it was a tornado. The official said the 911 director (Christy Booth) reviewed dispatch logs and confirmed no real‑time active tornado message was received.
Staff and council also noted sirens are designed primarily to warn people outdoors; they urged residents to use multiple alerting channels (phone alerts, television and radio) because indoor occupants may not hear outdoor sirens. The mayor and staff outlined cleanup operations — extended compost site hours, volunteer assistance from Defiance City Schools and continued work by city crews — and urged residents to use the compost site while crews focus on public property.
Council members said they would check siren locations on the north side and follow up with county 911 officials about coverage and potential funding for additional sirens.
