May 12, 2008
2 sirens seem sufficient
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Tornados offer little advance warning, something on the order of 15 minutes if at all. Areas that experience this threat frequently install siren systems to warn residents. The rest of us rely on warnings from the National Weather Service, as do the people who control the siren switches.
We have the siren system for Surry and, just installed, another siren system on campus for William & Mary alerts. The value of a third siren system for weather alerts is questionable, and I know of no jurisdiction in our region doing that.
NOAA Weather Radios have been placed in schools and public buildings, and they continue to be the most reliable method of notification. In addition, National Weather Service alerts can be received through a visual and networked system called Thunder-Eagle or Weather-Eagle. The library has a Weather-Eagle receiver and we are in the process of purchasing this system for city buildings as well.
For individuals, a NOAA Weather Radio costs about $30. Of course, the Emergency Alert System sends National Weather Service notifications directly to our TVs and radios at home.
The range of threats we face is wide: hurricanes, Surry radiological release, hazardous material spills, terrorism incidents, shooters in public places, weapons of mass destruction, etc. Last week shows that more training is needed for quick response sheltering in the bottom core of buildings for tornados warnings, and the importance of keeping those NOAA radios on.
Hats off to the library staff for their reaction to the alert last Monday afternoon.
Jackson Tuttle
City Manager
Williamsburg
This is in reply to letter May 3.
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