Poll: Are County Warnings Too Broad for Severe Weather?

Severe weather season is in full swing in Minnesota. Severe weather warnings are a fairly frequent sight this time of year on television screens, radios, websites, and other instant media applications.

But are warnings where only counties are listed too broad?

A post this morning by Minnesota Public Radio raises an interesting question. Some travelers may not know county names (can you recite all of Minnesota's 87 counties and identify where they are on a map?) or be familiar enough to have a good frame of geographic reference when severe weather alerts are broadcast. 

Dakota County covers approximately 580 square miles. When a warning is issued, that also covers approximately 400,000 people.

The Dakota Communications Center to geo-specific safety issues such via their telephone notification system. Personnel can target cities or even specific blocks when a safety issue such as a gas leak, dangerous police situation, or even when an alzheimer's patient goes missing in a neighborhood occurs.

We want to know what you think locally.

Should severe weather alerts also be more focused? Or does the current system work just fine? Do you appreciate the predominantly countywide notifications? Or is it sometimes too much overload?

Vote in the poll below and sound off with your thoughs, suggestions or comments.