Tornado warning today...

[2001srnfan]

There was a tornado warning today for here. This is the problem with it...

The power went out across Waterloo just minutes before the tornado warning rang out. I, including thousands of other people, had no idea there actually was a tornado. The tornado was located 20kms west of Kitchener/Waterloo, and there was a large funnel cloud hanging 200 feet from the ground over west Waterloo and northwest Kitchener for a long time. A lot of my friends said they had their windows open, and I did too, which got me thinking.

There should have been tornado sirens. It's a common topic in places without sirens, but the county government just doesn't think we need them. A lot of people were outside or in their homes with there windows open, so they could have had some warning that a tornado was coming. This happens so often here, there is no EAS on the TV or an EARS on the radio so people just have no idea unless they are watching The Weather Network.

12 times since 2000, we have had tornado warnings in this county, and everytime a lot of people have no idea. It really pisses me off that a LARGE funnel cloud was hanging over the city, and I had no idea. I know we should have weather radios, but you can't buy them in Canada, so really no one if any will ever have one.

I'm going to email the city about the lack of outdoor warning systems. This year, during emergency preparedness week there was a lot of talk about how Sarnia has tornado sirens and it's a good thing. So, maybe now the city will listen. 10-20 ATI sirens would cover this city, they are inexpensive, so it wont be a problem for the city I think.

Anyhow, today could have been a disaster, and no one had warning.

Funny thing is, today is the 21st anniversary of the May 31, 1985 Ontario tornado outbreak, when 8 people died in the city of Barrie when an F4 tornado struck without warning.

[SirenMadness]

I had two severe T-storms today. I think it had something to do, because it showed the same conditions for both Windsor and Waterloo.

Also, yeah, it sucks to be without a warning system: in Windsor, whenever a big storm comes, the only warning we have is from Detroit's system.

[Hanako]

I live in the west coast, and haven't seen any tornados (I don't know if we can get tornados here, even if we're next to the ocean like I am) but I know the importance of a Warning System


I think you should speak to your local politicians about this, or the opposition party (if you support them rather than your local political party)

[hobbeekid]

You guys need doppler radar & sirens. Time for your local govermen't to step up.............

[Trey]

I live in the west coast, and haven't seen any tornados (I don't know if we can get tornados here, even if we're next to the ocean like I am) but I know the importance of a Warning System


I think you should speak to your local politicians about this, or the opposition party (if you support them rather than your local political party)

Believe me tornadoes can form anywhere. Although not likely in your spot. Thats one of the things we were trained on in SKYWARN, a tornado can form anywhere, and at anytime.

[enigma1677]

Im not sure how things work in Canada, but i have lots of experience going up against ignorant cities and counties that like to tell me that they dont need sirens. Of course after i got done with them, they got sirens sooner or later. The thing you have to do is talk with the EMA director(if Canada has those), next talk to the city or county councils. Then if that doesnt work go to the media and make a huge deal about people's lives being in danger and the local government wont do squat about it, then go to your higher government, like politicians. Unfortunately a lot of people dont see the need for Tornado sirens b/c, well they probably never lived in a city to even know what they are and how they can justify spending all that money on them. I would use the city of Detroit as an example when presenting your proposal, do your homework on the internet and get statistics of towns with sirens vs towns without them, show the fatality rate for both. Just have your ducks in row, when you do that, you turn up the heat on all the officials who are opposed to getting them. Trust me, it works. Good Luck

[Hanako]

Believe me tornadoes can form anywhere. Although not likely in your spot. Thats one of the things we were trained on in SKYWARN, a tornado can form anywhere, and at anytime.

SKYWARN? You a meteorologist or weather reporter or something? ^_^;

And yeah, I know what you mean, I live on an Ocean city (as you may have guessed by now) and in the past I have noticed what closely resembles a funnel cloud, and there was a hurricane-like windstorm in a nearby region, one in which I used to live, in fact.

[SirenMadness]

That "funnel cloud" that you see is a downdraft, common in severe T-storms.
But I heard Windsor might be getting its own 2001 SRN-B, but for terrorist attacks as its primary warning use; it might set off for tornado warnings.

[Hanako]

That "funnel cloud" that you see is a downdraft, common in severe T-storms.

Hehe, trust me to go and think it's a twister or something and freak out ^-^;; You a meteorologist or something? ^^;

But I heard Windsor might be getting its own 2001 SRN-B, but for terrorist attacks as its primary warning use; it might set off for tornado warnings.

I feel weird for saying this, but that would actually be pretty cool

[SirenMadness]

No, I don't even have a profession yet.

Also, yes, it is cool to finally have a siren close to me again!