Forecasters correctly predicted that last night would be bumpy and sure enough, straight line winds guessed to be in the 80-100 mph range moved right through the middle of the county downing barns, toppling trailers and breaking trees.
Fortunately, there are no reports of injuries from the fast moving storm.
As property owners clean up today, social media is alive with comments regarding damage and storm sirens- some claim they didn't hear them; some say they were activated when they shouldn't have been.
Mid America Live spoke with several fire department and emergency services officials this morning to find out exactly what happens when severe weather is inbound:
Fire department officials contact local storm shelters to request doors be unlocked. Depending on availability of key holders, there are instances where a storm shelter may or may not be open. Unfortunately, often due to limited time, it is very difficult to get word out on exactly what shelters are available. It is highly recommended that everyone have a plan 'b' for such an emergency.
Fire departments, storm spotters and others move to positions on hilltops and clearings where they can more easily see cloud formations during lightning flashes. Everyone is in contact by radio. Size of hail, intensity of rain and wind are reported back to the command center.
Up to now, it's all wait and see.
If a funnel cloud is seen by spotters, a Tornado Warning is relayed back through the proper channels, and rebroadcast to other area agencies, including the National Weather Service. In other words, the warning is generated by locally and sent to the NWS.
In some cases, the Tornado Warning is instead issued by the NWS because they have information our local spotters don't have.
Sometimes, straight line winds can be mistaken for a tornado because at the onset, it seems quite similar. For any case, it is standard operating procedure to activate storm sirens when a Tornado Warning is been issued. Period.
After all, who can afford to be wrong?
Here are some tips so you can be better prepared:
1. Purchase a battery operated weather radio.
2. Subscribe to text message services that will notify you about severe weather. Nixle is a reliable service, you can sign up here www.nixle.com. The City of Butler also provides a messaging service, more info here http://www.butlermo.com/list.aspx
3. Plan ahead to know where you can go in case of tornado, also seek alternative shelters in case your first choice is not available.
4. Make a kit that includes necessary medications, a phone charger, and any other items you absolutely need.
In regard to storm sirens, they are tested at regular intervals. If you didn't hear them last night and think you should have, we recommend contacting city hall so it may be investigated.
