Attitude, decision-making, and behavior among a small group of citizens near the path of the Siren, Wisconsin tornado of 18 June 2001

National Weather Digest, Dec, 2003 by William Monfredo, John P. Tiefenbacher

When asked if there were any outstanding lessons learned from their close call with the tornado, the responses were varied. Concerns voiced included the desire for better warnings and information relating to the storm. While only one person mentioned that there is too much "crying wolf" or false alarms in weather warnings, another suggested that people should consider severe thunderstorm warnings as serious indicators of tornadoes. Others recommended being more aware of the weather, listening to and watching television for warnings, and heeding those warnings (i.e., being more vigilant in taking cover). Indeed, people developed a new respect for these severe convective storms, proffering to all that tornado disasters can happen to anyone and to always have a basement. Some felt that a tornado is the "most powerful thing," a lot more powerful and messy than people might think.

Other comments regarding outstanding lessons learned were more practical and sometimes philosophical. Some residents noted that volunteering and recovery requires a lot of effort, and that the Red Cross responds quickly. Another believed that it is always important to have generator back-ups for both home and the village. Others cautioned to be careful walking around after tornadoes, to watch out for clean-up machinery in the area, and to avoid downed and live power lines. Indeed, at least one indirect death was apparently attributable to electrocution by a downed live wire. While at least one individual wanted to see a tornado, another indicated the desire to protect their children from daily harm. Others noted that after a terrible event like a tornado, most people are generous and good. Interestingly, one man took shelter under a worktable in a metal shop when the tornado struck. During questioning, he stated that there is too much time spent working in life, that he ought to have more fun, and if he has to die in the future, he does not want to do it at work.

6. Discussion

Unique aspects of this "near miss" tornado experience to the study group in the Village of Siren, Wisconsin include the fact that some residents that had positive beliefs in the adequacy of their own personal warning also had concerns that the overall tornado warning for the community was unsatisfactory. This is likely due to the fact that while the tornado did not directly affect their precise location, nearby places sustained a direct hit from the storm, and perhaps more importantly, there appeared to be an emphasis and implied dependency on being able to hear a working siren in this small community. This perception emerged fairly clearly in the informal interviews that surrounded questioning, although it was not addressed specifically in any one question.

NOAA weather radio reception in and around Siren at the time of the tornado was very weak, so no one interviewed received a National Weather Service warning through NOAA weather radio. Television sets also proved ineffective in disseminating an actual tornado warning for the Siren storm. Since the electricity went out approximately twenty minutes before the tornado struck, most people knew only of a tornado watch issued much earlier in the day or of a severe thunderstorm warning issued on television within the hour prior to the tornado. Even when receiving phone calls from friends and relatives about a tornado or hearing of a tornado warning over a fire/police scanner, many waited for a confirmation from Siren's siren, which, as mentioned earlier, was inoperable. A new NOAA weather radio transmitter slated to serve the area that encompasses Siren, Wisconsin was on order at the time of the tornado.