Joplin to consider changes to its storm siren policy

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Joplin officials will hear about proposed changes to the city's storm-siren policy this week.

The Joplin Globe reported that the possible policy changes are in response to a National Weather Service investigation after the May 22 tornado that killed 161 people.

Officials have been studying why some people didn't take cover when a tornado warning was issued and the sirens set off before the EF-5 tornado hit.

City policy has been to sound the sirens when a tornado or severe storm is headed for the city. They're set off in one, three-minute blast that the report said made it difficult to discern the magnitude of the threat. The report also said that after confirming the threat, many did take shelter, even a number of the people who died.

Pertinent address:

Joplin, Mo.