Politics & Government

Clough: All Options on the Table Regarding Tornado Sirens

Mayor is waiting on recommendations from the police and fire departments.

Westlake resident Cecelia Baker again questioned the city on the status of tornado siren—or some sort of alert system—on June 9, one day before severe storm again passed through the area.

The city’s current system, Nixle, alerted cell phone users at 3:54 p.m. on June 10 that neighboring Lorain County, including Avon and Avon Lake, were under a tornado warning until 4:30 p.m. and urged resident to tune in to NOAA Weather Radio or local news.

“We continue to get more and more information,” Mayor Dennis Clough responded at the June 9 council meeting. “There’s all sorts of ways people are being alerted now

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There’s even a national alert system.”

Baker asked if that system included sirens, to which Clough responded no.

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Clough said the issue is being reviewed in house with the police and fire departments and purchasing director Larry Surber making recommendations.

Baker said she was concerned that not all residents were being represented.

“Are we keeping in mind that we are looking at everybody, and not just the technically gifted, as I call them,” Baker said, referring to resident who may not use cell phones or Internet.

She was concerned that those relying on the television for alerts are not being served. 

“The alerts we are receiving, tv alerts, many times, the storms in Westlake have already hit or already passed,” Baker said.  “We can’t depend on that.”

“I’m going to wait for a recommendation,” Clough said. “Currently, all options are on the table at this point.”

Residents expressed concern over the current system following severe storms on June 12 that triggered tornado sirens in neighboring towns. Westlake does not utilize sirens. It has opted to use Nixle, an opt-in service for notifications.

Click here to sign up for Nixle.




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