tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post1224032594852476377..comments2024-01-10T00:25:29.819-06:00Comments on The Original Weather Blog: Tragic Stage Collapse At Indiana State FairUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-14010660914010360102011-09-12T16:24:58.067-05:002011-09-12T16:24:58.067-05:00"Baffled",
Thanks for the comment.
I h..."Baffled",<br /><br />Thanks for the comment.<br /><br />I haven't really felt that an update was needed. As the original post pointed out, the information provided by the NWS (regardless of how frequently it was updated) was completely wrong. Even the Governor alluded to this in several statements.<br /><br />I guess I don't see the merit in staying "in continual contact" with a source if that particular source is giving incorrect information.<br /><br />It's obvious (to me anyway) that by the actions of various security chiefs and other event managers checking their cellphones for weather updates that they also felt like maybe they weren't getting all of the information they should have been...<br /><br />In any case, this was a tragic example of why events such as these should hire an independent contractor or firm to monitor the weather for them. The NWS is not charged with providing such detailed information for a particular venue, and those with little to no meteorological training should not be forced to rely upon cellphone information for critical weather updates.Rob Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06951148913701306704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-18554190323708659912011-09-11T13:56:15.080-05:002011-09-11T13:56:15.080-05:00I am baffled as to why you didn't update this ...I am baffled as to why you didn't update this post with the info that the State Fair officials were in continual contact with the NWS - they weren't relying upon some cop using his smart phone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-19236745195472172842011-08-15T12:20:12.122-05:002011-08-15T12:20:12.122-05:00Anonymous/sirens, thanks for the comment. You are...Anonymous/sirens, thanks for the comment. You are correct in that the sirens can also be utilized for other civil emergencies (depending on the rules in a given city or county). I only referred to tornado warnings vs. severe thunderstorm warnings in this case because that is what we were dealing with in the context of this post...<br /><br />You should be able to Google the Office of Emergency Management (or similar title) for your area and determine what types of situations they will sound the sirens for. You should also always keep in mind that these devices were designed primarily for outdoor use and depending upon where you live in relation to the sirens, you may not be able to hear them in your home or business. That's why I highly recommend a NOAA Weather Radio with a battery back-up (or similar device) to be sure that you receive any warnings for your area. The Weather Radio will also alert you to other civil emergencies such as chemical spills, etc., as well.Rob Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06951148913701306704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-16359118669034512972011-08-15T11:09:47.579-05:002011-08-15T11:09:47.579-05:00"In Marion County, the sirens are sounded for..."In Marion County, the sirens are sounded for not only tornado warnings... 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."<br /><br />http://www.wthr.com/story/14484672/use-of-tornado-sirens-raises-concerns<br /><br />The sirens are not just for tornadoes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-50224338336096375052011-08-14T15:42:03.737-05:002011-08-14T15:42:03.737-05:00Chuck,
Thanks for the comment. I'm assuming ...Chuck,<br /><br />Thanks for the comment. I'm assuming that you're referring to the fact that very recently the Marion Co., Indiana Department of Emergency Management decided to only sound tornado sirens for tornado warnings. I actually made a post about this back on July 5th. The link is here:<br /><br />http://originalweatherblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/outdoor-warning-sirens-to-sound-less.html<br /><br />For many years the agency, which activates the sirens for the city of Indianapolis, would do so even in a severe thunderstorm warning when the area was under a Tornado Watch at the same time.<br /><br />Indianapolis wasn't under a Tornado Watch yesterday (it was a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that was issued by the SPC nearly 3 hours before the event took place).<br /><br />So, the way I understand the prior policy on tornado sirens in Marion County, they would not have been sounded yesterday because a Tornado Watch was not also in effect at the same time...<br /><br />With that said, I stand by my long time assertion on this blog that it's bad policy to sound tornado warning sirens in any situation other than one that involves a Tornado Warning. The false alarm rate/cry wolf syndrome gets way too high otherwise...Rob Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06951148913701306704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-62683065736819636722011-08-14T15:10:27.174-05:002011-08-14T15:10:27.174-05:00looks to me like they should've sounded the si...looks to me like they should've sounded the sirens like they used to. maybe somebody would have done something then!!!!!<br /><br />Chuck C. - IndianapolisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-33149448084555645982011-08-14T13:45:52.011-05:002011-08-14T13:45:52.011-05:00Anonymous, thanks for the comment. According to t...Anonymous, thanks for the comment. According to the State Fair's website, there are several substantial structures on the Fairgrounds in which outdoor spectators could have sought shelter:<br /><br />http://www.in.gov/statefair/fair/maps_parking/map/index.html<br /><br />While a substantial structure is obviously the best choice in which to seek shelter, if you are ever caught outdoors in a tent, beneath a canopy or other weak awning, or any other "fast up, fast down" type structure and a thunderstorm with strong winds is approaching, it would be better to get out of that structure and seek shelter in your vehicle rather than try and ride it out inside such a poorly supported venue.<br /><br />Tornadoes are obviously an entirely different matter; I am talking about strong, gusty winds of the type that we saw in this tragic case...Rob Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06951148913701306704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-684151770662764217.post-84316866297905342372011-08-14T12:14:28.529-05:002011-08-14T12:14:28.529-05:00Where would they go if they get a warning? Is the...Where would they go if they get a warning? Is there a shelter there?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com