TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — In preparation for disasters, the state of Indiana had a tornado drill Tuesday.
However, the siren did not go off in Greene County.
The county’s EMA Director, Roger Axe, said the message was sent to the siren as planned, but the sound did not go off. The problem was with the radio.
However, emergency management was able to send a backup signal and complete the test.
Axe said everything is working now, but he said the incident is another reason why the county is pushing reverse 911. It alerts residents when an emergency mandate is sent out from the county.
“Reverse 911 gives us more opportunity to send out a warning”, Axe said. “Outdoor warning sirens are just that, they’re outdoors. You don’t necessarily hear them. We had the incident where they didn’t get the message. Most people carry a cell phone, they travel. Even if they’re away from home, they can get the warning. We can let the populus know, with our system, we can tailor it to certain areas and not disturb the rest of the county.”
If you are a Greene County resident and want to join the reverse 911 system, visit the county’s website here.
