Oklahoma City Officials Eye Changes to Storm Warning Policy

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City officials are considering changes to the city's storm warning system.

Right now in Oklahoma City, storm sirens are used for tornado warnings. The new policy would add two warnings to that.

The changes would include sounding the sirens for winds greater than 75 miles per hour, or if hail bigger than two inches is approaching an outdoor event or venue.

After the hail storm May 16, a regional task force was formed to evaluate possible changes to the warning system in central Oklahoma. Officials wanted to do more to protect residents who are outside. Oklahoma City's assistant city manager, M.T. Berry said it's all about safety.

"They certainly wanted to make sure the outdoor warning system is used to warn people who are outside of conditions that could cause serious injury or death," Berry said.

The policy changes have not been adopted and if they are, high wind and hail sirens could become part of a regional policy that would affect other metro cities.

"Those jurisdictions will make a decision on their own as to whether or not they will sign on to the policy or do something different," Berry said. "We are certainly hopeful that everyone will try to do it in a consistent manner."

Berry said if the changes are approved, they could be in place in time for next year's storm season.