Posted on Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 6:30 p.m.
Tornado warning issued for part of Washtenaw County, including Saline
By Cindy Heflin
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning until 7:30 p.m. for southeastern Washtenaw County.
At 6:24 p.m. the National Weather Service Doppler radar showed a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Saline and moving east at 35 mph.
Residents in theses areas should Take cover now. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect, yourself from flying debris.
Comments
Milton Shift
Sat, Jul 24, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
I've always taken the sirens to mean be wary. No need to run for the bomb shelters the second they go off - just keep an eye out 'cause if it gets nasty, tornadoes are likely to be present. Ignoring them or overreacting and freaking out are equally silly.
katie
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 8:27 p.m.
I drove into Ann Arbor through Saline not long after the storm went through. It was clear that there had been really intense winds and lots of damage. Whether it is a tornado or straight line winds that do a whole lot of damage, I'm glad to be warned with a siren. My complaint is the opposite, there's not enough information available for these kinds of events, or for power outages. When there is threatening weather, I'd like a radio station that gives frequent updates so I can take appropriate action, including information when it's an all clear. When my power goes out, I'd like to be able to turn on my radio to find out what is going on. It it just my street, or is it the whole state or region. It's frustrating to try to find information and none is forthcoming. Only WEMU does a decent job, but if it happens late at night, they don't have live radio. I'm not a fan of EMU's programming, but have donated to them solely on the basis of being a real community station in such a crisis. I don't donate to Michigan Radio since they don't seem community oriented enough. The airwaves were originally supposed to serve the communities. That's a thing of the past.
Susan Schwartzenberger
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 8:19 p.m.
The criteria for issuing watches and warnings has not changed. The technology has improved. Why is this a problem for some people? If you don't want to pay attention to warnings, that's up to you... just don't complain if you get caught in some bad weather that you heard about but decided to ignore. Just remember to help get children, the elderly, and pets to safety before you wander about during severe weather. And stay out of the way of the emergency responders, please!
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 7:12 p.m.
I agree with Jeff and Katie. At some point, recently, watches seem to have morphed in to warnings. It seems under the current system we can begin the tornado watch in early June and end it in early September. The watch becomes a warning as soon as a clap of thunder is heard within a 100 mile radius.
Katie
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 6:14 p.m.
Jeff-I live in Jackson, work in Lansing and I discussed this with my co-workers today that yesterday evern though it was a even light gray sky, a warning was issued. I as well said that no one will pay attention to the warnings and by the time a real threat is happening, it may be too late to sound the siren.
Jeff Richard
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 6:03 p.m.
It appears the National Weather Service has succumbed to the potential for a lawsuit for failure to give proper warning. Yes, we're having a bad storm and we can all see the severity. No, a funnel cloud has not been sighted and no unlike a week ago, radar indications show no wall clouds. By definition a tornado warning should not be issued...this should be a tornado watch - conditions are right. Eventually no one will take the siren seriously if this continues.
stunhsif
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 6 p.m.
Massive storm just passed through and thankfully the power is still on. Rain coming down sideways(6:30 p.m.), water 4 inches deep on driveway. Estimate winds at 60 mph.
Marshall Applewhite
Fri, Jul 23, 2010 : 5:38 p.m.
Judging by the intense storms, it actually makes sense for the tornado siren to be going off this time.