Cause of storm warning failure still a mystery

Nov. 2– Why a new FM-Alert system failed to activate when a severe thunderstorm pummeled Hardin County eight days ago remains unknown.

Hardin County is among seven west Tennessee counties which shared a $250,000 grant from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to implement the alert system, which went live here in February.

Warning signals issued by the National Weather Service are used to trigger the FM-Alert notifications via participating local FM radio stations.

The notifications are picked up by battery-powered, pocket-sized FM-Alert receivers, which sound an insistent beeping tone and display text identifying the warning on an LCD screen. The Hardin County Red Cross is selling the units for $39.95.

The Hardin County Emergency Management Agency reported Monday that FM-Alert officials had yet to determine why notice of the Oct. 24 severe thunderstorm warning was not broadcast by the FM-Alert system, but a flash flood warning two hours later did go out properly.

 

Experts say it’s wise to have redundant warning systems in place in the event of severe weather.

"You don’t need to use one medium for all your weather alerts," advises Hardin County EMA Deputy Director Marilyn White.

NOAA weather radio, TV, commercial radio and the Internet, in addition to FM-Alert, can all provide information about approaching tornadoes and other severe storms.