Survivors In Oklahoma Tornadoes Question Effectiveness of Warning Sirens

Karl Torp, News 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Recent tornadoes have some storm survivors questioning the effectiveness of warning sirens.

News 9's complete storm coverage

In Woodward, many sirens didn't go off because power has been knocked out in some areas before Sunday morning's tornado touched down.

"We didn't get any warning," says Woodward's Curt Raymer, who rode out the storm in his house which was destroyed.

The city of Norman faced the same electricity challenges Friday when a tornado swept through the downtown.

Norman's siren system is only four month old and costs more than $2 million.

There are 67 sirens around town and each is battery-powered and uses a solar panel.

"These Individual sirens are not dependent on electricity," says Norman Emergency Management Chief James Fullingim.

But even with a state of the art system, Norman's warning sirens only sounded after Friday's tornado had touched down.

"Realistically there are going to be tornadoes that come without warning," Chief Fullingim said.