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At 5:56 p.m. May 9, the National Weather Service alerted the Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency of a severe thunderstorm bearing down on Columbus.
Within six minutes, E-911 received its first call reporting storm damage.
The storm that came through brought straight-line winds of up to 60 mph that downed trees, power lines and caused property damage in parts of Northside, Southside and East Columbus. Nearly three weeks later, you can drive through parts of the city and still see storm damage.
With a storm so destructive, why didn’t emergency sirens sound in the city?
When does EMA activate the emergency sirens?
While siren activation policies are determined locally, Lowndes County EMA Director Cindy Lawrence said it follows recommendations from the National Weather Service.
NWS sends weather alerts to EMA, with a lead time anywhere from just a few minutes to a half-hour, Lawrence said. When NWS issues a tornado warning for any part of the county – or a warning of any storm with winds expected to reach 80 mph – EMA sounds all 37 sirens installed across the county.
Those sirens indicate that citizens should take shelter immediately, she said.
The May 9 storm did not come with a tornado warning, Lawrence said, and the projected wind speed did not meet the standard for sounding the sirens.
In Oktibbeha County, EMA Director Kristen Campanella said the county’s 24 sirens are set up on mapped geofences that automatically activate when NWS has issued a tornado warning for that area. Otherwise they only sound during a civil emergency or during monthly tests of the system.
Lowndes County also tests its sirens monthly.
How else can you keep up with weather emergencies?
Sirens should not be the only way residents track severe weather, Campanella said.
Both Lawrence and Campanella recommended using NOAA weather radios for updates, as well as keeping up though local media, social media or mobile weather apps.
Oktibbeha County residents can sign up for free alerts from Hyper-Reach by texting “alert” to (662) 498-6604 and following the link in the response. Columbus and Starkville have similar alert systems available on their websites.
If I hear the sirens or have damage, should I call 911?
No. Only call 911 if you have an emergency or are in danger.
Otherwise, call your county EMA’s non-emergency number if you have property damage, Lawrence said. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency also offers online self-reporting for storm damage by county.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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