New storm siren protocol a great safety measure

We live in an area of the country where severe storms are part and parcel of spring and summer weather. Luckily, available technology helps us stay safer via watches and warnings. But all the technology in the world is useless if there's no way to get news of those weather alerts to the public.

The Cape Girardeau and Jackson areas have long had storm sirens to convey the message when it's time to seek shelter, but until recently the protocol has been to sound the sirens anytime a tornado warning is issued anywhere in Cape Girardeau County.

More recent advances in technology have allowed a new protocol to be implemented in Jackson, however. Authorities are now better able to predict where the storm is headed and can sound the sirens only in the areas that are in the storm's path.

"There are some times that the sun can be shining here in Jackson, but there's a storm in another part of the county," Jackson fire chief Jason Mouser told the Southeast Missourian.

In Cape Girardeau, the 911 Communications Division activates all sirens in the city for any tornado warning in the county, unless a supervisor intervenes because the National Weather Service indicates the weather will not affect the city limits; the city also coordinates with Southeast Missouri State University on activation of its sirens, according to an email from Nicolette Brennan, public information officer with the city of Cape Girardeau.

It's important to remember, though, that the sirens are only one step toward safety. Have a plan ready for yourself and your family so that when you do hear the sirens, you can be calm and take shelter.

The American Red Cross recommends steps including choosing a safe room, such as a basement, storm cellar or interior room as shelter, and practicing drills; securing outdoor items that might be picked up by the wind; listening to an NOAA weather radio; and avoiding taking shelter in mobile homes.

Preparedness makes a big difference. The more confident you are in your plan, the more calmly and safely you can ride out the storm.

Sounding the storms sirens in all areas of the county at once could cause people to become so used to the sirens that they ignore them. The new protocols are a great step toward ensuring the safety of area residents.