Posted on Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 5:47 p.m.
Dexter Township to buy outdoor warning sirens
By Cindy Heflin
Dexter Township will get 16 outdoor warning sirens after a vote by the Township Board Tuesday night, Dexter Patch reported.
Dexter Township plans to buy 16 new outdoor warning sirens.
City of Ann Arbor
Board members said the sirens were needed after many people reported not being able to hear the township’s one current warning siren on March 15, when a tornado destroyed several homes and damaged many more in the Dexter area.
Comments
Laura Jones
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
Worth every penny if even one life is saved. I am glad my taxes are being spent for this.
world view
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
I live in Dexter Township. I am happy that the township board was frugal with my tax dollars in the economic downturn and even more happy that they have now decided to use my money to purchase the warning sirens.
gmo99
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.
I'm very happy. On March 15, we had just arrived home from work and didn't have time to turn on a TV or radio. The sun was shining outside, although we could see a storm to the north of us. The tornado hit us within a minute, we had no time to react and had severe damage to our home and property. Luckily we were all safe. An early warning system in the Township will help give families more time to protect themselves from future disasters. We didn't get the 23 minutes the Village got as a warning.- we were lucky no one was seriously injured.
Rork Kuick
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
I couldn't hear a thing, except for a sound like 10 airplanes coming for my house. If you hear that, or the wind goes over 80 mph, take it as a warning.
Ann Dwyer
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 6:41 a.m.
The tornado was actually really close to my house, and there was just a weird stillness. Our power was out, so we had no idea that there was a tornado. Funny thing about tornadoes, they're spontaneous and jump around. So if I can hear a sound like 10 airplanes coming for my house, it might be too late for me to get my family to safety.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:07 a.m.
Really? These are OUTDOOR sirens? Might work better that way.
Ann Dwyer
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.
I can vouch for not having heard them, and the tornado was practically in my backyard. We didn't have power, so we didn't know to take cover. Thankfully, we didn't suffer any damage.
RuralMom
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
Us too! Plus its not just this year! Half Moon Lake Day Recreational Area, had its entire concession stand damaged and torn down in the 2001 or so. The area is hot for activity. My adult kids called me this year ARGUING over what they were seeing, I told them to get in the basement, and called my Sister up the road, they took cover just in time, heard it all blow over them. There was NO WARNING, no electricity = no t.v.= no warning in absence of a siren warning system.
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
At $23,000 a copy these sirens ought to scare off tornadoes and make cows give ice cream.
YpsiGreen
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:19 p.m.
Is this potential overreaction? From 1 to 16? Not that safety isn't a priority.
world view
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
Dexter Township encompasses 36 square miles (as opposed to about 2 for Ypsi). In addition, the topography is very rolling. More sirens are required to provide adequate coverage to all residents.
gmo99
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 : 10:42 a.m.
Try living through that tornado with no warning. I'll be you would be in favor of adding a 100 of them
Liz
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:48 a.m.
I am guessing by your name "YpsiGreen" that you live in Ypsilanti, and don't have to worry about not hearing a siren. It is a major concern if you live in a rural area.
Mick52
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
The one siren in place is at Portage Lake and was maintained by the neighborhood there. That siren was intended only for that area. They only have a range of a certain distance so to properly install enough to cover the entire township, it was determined 16 are necessary.
LDIdeals
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.
Dexter Twp covers quite a bit of area, much of it rural so probably need that amount to adequately reach their residents. Happy to hear it's coming, as one of those residents!