Weather
Why Some Didn't Hear Tornado Sirens Before Sunday Storm
Local officials credited sirens and phone alerts with saving lives during the EF-3 tornado, but some residents said they didn't hear either.
NAPERVILLE, IL — Before a tornado blew through some of Chicago's southwest suburbs Sunday night, some residents didn't realize they might be in danger. Officials said the emergency alert systems on residents' smartphones and county sirens helped keep the storm from claiming lives. But some residents said they didn't hear any tornado sirens or receive phone alerts and were left wondering.
According to the National Weather Service, tornado sirens are intended to be heard by people who are outside at the time of a disaster, not inside their homes. In a statement following the storm, officials from Woodridge said the event served as a reminder of "the importance of having multiple means to receive a warning."
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Public safety officials from DuPage County confirmed to Patch they activated tornado sirens at 10:48 p.m. in Woodridge. In Naperville, sirens went off at 11:07 p.m. In Will County, where an EF-0 tornado moved from Plainfield to Romeoville, sirens also went off at 11:07 p.m.
Woodridge police said in a social media statement that people should use sirens in addition to phone and weather radio reports.
Find out what's happening in Woodridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A statement on the National Weather Service's website said nothing can replace "common sense" when a storm is approaching.
"The safest approach is to be proactive and use all of the information available to protect yourself and your family from threatening weather," the website stated. "If a storm is approaching, the lightning alone is a threat. Sirens are only one part of a warning system that includes preparation, NOAA Weather Radio, and local media."
Various cellular providers updated emergency alert information on their website following the storm to tell those who are worried about not receiving emergency notifications to check their device, update their phone and ensure they haven't opted out of extra alerts.
Even when you do hear sirens, the NWS reports, tuning in to local media should be the next step. The Illinois Emergency Management Association recommends having a weather radio with batteries or a hand crank to make sure you can get the latest severe weather information even if you lose power.
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