Video: Lee County EMA Completes Review of Tupelo Tornado Warning

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TUPELO, Miss. (Press Release) — The Lee County Emergency Management Agency has completed its review of the activation of the outdoor warning system sirens in the City of Tupelo for the April 28 tornado warning.

When the National Weather Service in Memphis issues a warning, the Lee County E-911 dispatch center activates the outdoor warning siren system. If any reports of the system not activating be reported by law enforcement or other public safety personnel to E-911 a secondary activation is attempted and, in the case of the City of Tupelo, a call is placed to Tupelo Water & Light, for it to use their activation point to activate the sirens.

The National Weather System issued an Emergency Alert System (EAS) activation request at 2:32 p.m. Lee County E-911 activated the outdoor warning system sirens at approximately 2:34 p.m. After reports were received that sirens were not activating in Tupelo, a secondary activation by E-911 was attempted, as well as by Tupelo Water & Light. The outdoor warning system controller indicates that activation occurred at 2:45 p.m. on April 28.

The outdoor warning system was tested as a part of the monthly test five days after the incident in question and performed within specifications. This concludes the investigation of the outdoor warning system.

Lee County Emergency Management cautions against relying on outdoor warning systems as the only means of monitoring weather events. Having a single means of notification leaves one vulnerable to not receiving notice. Weather radios, emergency alert call services, radio and television broadcasts are all resources that should be utilized to monitor weather conditions.

To sign up for the free emergency alert call service provided by area Boards of Supervisors and the Three Rivers Planning & Development District, visit http://www.trpdd.com/CodeRed/.