Use of tornado sirens raises concerns - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indianapolis - Residents are voicing concern over the operation of tornado sirens Tuesday night.

Many people across central Indiana heard tornado sirens overnight as powerful storms swept through the region. The question is, 'What does the siren mean?'

"I think it's when tornadoes are spotted," said Jesse Saini.

Not necessarily.

In Marion County, the sirens are sounded for not only tornado warnings, but also if the county is under a severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado watch at the same time. It can also mean a non-weather related, widespread emergency like a chemical spill, or that the county is just conducting their weekly Friday test.

Marion County's sirens were sounded 126 times in 2010 and not one tornado dropped.

"Our fear is people are getting complacent. We don't want them to not take shelter when they hear the sirens," said Gary Coons, Indianapolis' chief of homeland security.

The DHS wants to change the protocol in Indianapolis, so that the sirens are sounded only when the county is under a tornado warning, if there is a tornado sighting or if there is a non-weather related widespread emergency. They also want to reduce their siren testing from once a week to once a month. If Mayor Greg Ballard approves the changes, the policy will go into effect July 1.

"I thought it was a warning, but it could have been a watch," said Steve Elmer.

Part of the confusion is that the decision to sound the siren is left up to who controls the sirens - that would be the Emergency Management Agency in each county. If you hear a siren in Montgomery County, it means one thing - a tornado warning is in effect. But if you hear it in Johnson County, it could also mean a tornado watch is in effect.

"I think it's better, more than less," Elmer said.

If you want to give your county Emergency Management Agency feedback on their siren policy, please use the contact information below:

Marion County Emergency Management Agency: (317) 327-7500
Hamilton County EMA: (317) 770-3381
Johnson County EMA: (317) 736-9064
Montgomery County EMA: (765) 364-5154

All Indiana county EMA contacts