Tornado Sirens Silent During Storm By: Ryan King After a tornado Sunday at 12:18 am, the city of Woodward, Oklahoma is receiving help and hope in multiple ways. The Woodward news is reporting, “Six people are known to have died in the tornado.” According to Woodward News, “Among those killed were Frank Hobbie and his daughters Faith Dean Hobbie, 8, and Kelly Marie Hobbie, 6. All 3 were in the trailer park. Killed southwest of Woodward were Darren Juhl and his 10-year-old daughter Rosa Marie.” Woodward News went on to say that, “The sixth victims name was released Monday afternoon. Steve Peil, 62, died late Sunday at an Amarillo Hospital. Piel was in the Hideaway Trailer Park when the tornado hit. He was transported by helicopter to Amarillo on Sunday.” 29 more citizens were also injured in the tragedy. However, this is not the first time a tornado rocked the town of Woodward. On April 9, 1947, a tornado ripped through, and according to AccuWeather, “dozens were killed. Also, according to AccuWeather, the tornado Sunday, “destroyed 89 homes.” Jim Hilton, a resident of Woodward, says that preparation is the goal but not quite a reality. “You know you’re used to seeing it on TV but you’re never quite prepared when it’s your own.” A concerned mom in Woodward says that this experience has changed how she views tornados. “I’ve never let it worry me, but now I will,” she said. “I had three of four kids here in Woodward, and I was calling them last night and they’re all okay.” Tamara Rosales is just thankful that the tornado wasn’t worse. “Well, we’re all alive,” Rosales said. “This is all material, it can be replaced. We’re all alive.” The town of roughly 12,000 people was sent into a tailspin after the tornado sirens failed to warn them of the approaching storm Robin Gunter said she heard the sirens a few times that day, but never when the tornado actually hit. “They had gone off two or three times earlier that day, and we had heard them,” she said. “I don’t know if they were already broken and couldn’t work at that time, but we didn’t hear any at midnight.” Oklahoma Alert was responsible for notifying the town about the tornado, but after a lightening strike downed the sirens, they couldn’t do anything about it and now, they need to be replaced. According to an Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management informational, Woodward uses Oklahoma Alert, “as a method for those in rural counties in Oklahoma to receive official severe weather bulletins from the National Weather Service, Norman and Tulsa offices, as well as for the public safety/emergency management community to monitor significant severe weather events in other parts of the state.” According to Woodward News, Governor Mary Fallin surveyed the area and said, Getting the response out immediately throughout the community - its just remarkable what you have done, Fallin told a group of emergency officials. Once again that emphasizes how important it is to have a plan. This “plan” also includes having equipment that actually works and warns the people of dangers around them. Apache, an oil company that supplies North America with oil and gas assets, decided to donate a substantial amount of money to Woodward so they could replace their old tornado warning systems. An Apache press release said, “The signal tower for Woodwards tornado sirens was struck by lightning and the tornado hit the community moments later. Apaches $350,000 donation will fund the citys emergency acquisition of a state-of-the-art tornado warning system that will continue to operate in the case of an interruption of power.” The press release went on to say, “Our hearts go out to the families who were impacted by this devastating event. This donation is one way for Apache to help the community rebuild, rebound and be prepared for future tornadoes. PHOTO: Ryan King A Woodward couple surveys the destruction after a tornado tore their town apart.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 23:56:41 +0000
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