POWELL, Ohio — Powell leaders are looking at options to install tornado sirens in the city after a recent increases in severe weather across central Ohio.
In Delaware County, there have been three reported tornadoes this year.
Powell has never had its own tornado sirens, and in some neighborhoods, it can be silent during a tornado warning.
“Right now, I am relying on my phone and television,” said Lee Talley, who noticed the silence when he moved from Columbus to Powell 14 years ago.
Now, Powell City Council and City Manager Andrew White are working with Delaware County Emergency Management to research what it would take to install two sirens in the city.
White said it would cost less than $80,000 of the city’s budget.
“Recently with just the increase in volatile weather patterns in central Ohio and in general there has been increased conversation with committee members in council and some constituents about the lack of tornado sirens in the city proper,” White said,
The city is still looking into where the sirens would be placed, and when they would be installed, but they are considering placing one both north and south of state Route 750.
The discussion will continue at the next Operations Committee meeting on May 21. Residents are welcome to share their thoughts.
“Our most important priority is to safeguard our citizens and if there is an opportunity to do that, the city council takes it seriously, as does staff,” White said.
Talley said he would welcome sirens.
“I think any type of weather warning would be tremendous to help the kids help anyone get out of harms way,” he said.
Delaware County Emergency Management Director Alex McCarthy said Powell is one of several local governments that reached out to him for information on bringing tornado sirens to their municipalities.
There are 16 sirens in Delaware County, but none are close to Powell. Several are strategically placed at Alum Creek State Park and Delaware State Park, where people could be spending time outside.
McCarthy explained sirens are not intended to be the primary alert source for people inside their homes.
“Truly the purpose of tornado sirens is to let people who are outside know, Hey, we have a hazard coming, a probable tornado coming and it is time to go inside and figure out if we are in the path of the tornado do we need to go in the basement,” McCarthy said. “In my personal experience these outdoor warning systems are to give people outside notice it is time to go inside and take shelter.”
McCarthy said it would be beneficial if sirens were more widespread in the county, but oftentimes the issue is funding. He said grants that used to cover the costs are no longer as available.
“We have parts of our county that are very rural, very remote where they go to camp where they might not have good cell service or access to other ways of getting warning so in those cases I think tornado sirens are a crucial warning system,” he said.
In Delaware County, residents can sign up to get weather alerts from the county.
McCarthy also recommends people use a NOAA weather radio and ensure turn on emergency alerts on their phones.
When severe weather is in the forecast, he also said to make sure you and your family have a plan.