The Effingham City Emergency Management Agency has released a statement in response to questions about why the outdoor storm sirens were not activated during Wednesday’s tornado warning.
EMA officials explained that the City of Effingham has a policy to only sound the Outdoor Sirens if there is imminent danger to the City. Imminent danger is determined by the spotting of a funnel cloud or tornado within the city. The sirens can also be activated if the National Weather Service notifies the City that Effingham is in the direct line of one. This policy is set to prevent residents from becoming immune to the Sirens and to keep them safe in the event of a real tornado.
On Wednesday evening the City was not at any time in imminent danger of a tornado in or immediately around the corporate City Limits. City officials were carefully monitoring the weather during the tornado warning.
Effingham EMA recommends that every Citizen have a NOAA weather radio in their home. These radios will alert you of situation all hours of the day. The Outdoor Sirens are designed to only be heard while conducting outside activities, so you can seek shelter when we are in imminent danger.
Any other questions or concerns can be addressed by contacting Kim Tegeler, City EMA at 217-342-5368.