Tornadoes in GA in March

[Horns]

National Weather Service's Service Assessment just released, it says the Georgia Office of Emergency Management blames automation of radio stations in Americus for lack of warning on late night tornadoes in the area. Apparently, no EAS activation in spite of early warning from the NWS.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/AL-GA_tornadoes07.pdf

 

[knozall]

Is that the sound of law suits being filed against radio stations by home owners who lost property?

 

[OgOgglby]

If you actually read the report, it was clear that watches were issued far ahead of the storms and that they criticize their own software and procedures too. The fact that the local stations weren't set up to have their EAS devices automatically transmit the warnings is incredibly stupid, but they weren't the only ones to blame.

 

[whit979]

This seems like a no-brainer....plug the darn EAS box in! Why do stations choose not to do this? Perhaps someone could shed some light on this ongoing issue....anybody remember when Clear Channel dropped the ball with the 2002 chemical spill in Minot?

 

[kyscott]

If you actually read the report, it was clear that watches were issued far ahead of the storms and that they criticize their own software and procedures too. The fact that the local stations weren't set up to have their EAS devices automatically transmit the warnings is incredibly stupid, but they weren't the only ones to blame.

yes, they were critical in their own procedures. Like you said, however, watches and warnings WERE ISSUED. When the last critical link to the public drops the ball, the link that is licensed to "serve the public", it is unexcusable.

I have forwarded a copy of the report to my sister and several friends that live in Americus. I told them that a lawsuit isn't out of the question, however in 2012 when the Americus stations are up for a license renewal will be the time to hold their feet to the fire. Make them and the other stations explain to the FCC why they failed their duties.

I would also like to see an FCC visit to these and other stations just to verify that the EAS equipment is even installed and hooked up. What moron in south Georgia would not program his EAS box to instantly relay at tornado warning?

 

[taylorengineer]

Most stations do not auto-interrupt for weather warnings.
Personal responsibility.....people need to be aware of the weather! Who starts the day NOT knowing the weather outlook? And severe weather does not come "sneaking" in like a tsunami or an earthquake.....it's not like the thunder/lightning/hail doesn't provide a small hint to check the radio for advisories.

 

[WC]

Maybe I'm wrong, but when there is no one there at the station (VT or syndicated show), the EAS isn't going to get sent anyway.

 

[whit979]

Most stations do not auto-interrupt for weather warnings.
Personal responsibility.....people need to be aware of the weather! Who starts the day NOT knowing the weather outlook? And severe weather does not come "sneaking" in like a tsunami or an earthquake.....it's not like the thunder/lightning/hail doesn't provide a small hint to check the radio for advisories.

I have to say that I disagree. How could anyone check the radio for advisories, when weather information was not being given in the first place? IMO, quick dissemination of weather warnings and public alerts is arguably the most important job of terrestrial radio today. Especially here in the Southeast, where weather conditions can change from good to bad within a very short period of time! If radio stations make no effort to AT LEAST broadcast EAS messages - even when no one is at the station - then the blame falls directly upon the radio station.

I don't know about all EAS boxes, but many can be set to automatically interrupt and broadcast warnings during certain hours of the day (ours is set to automatically interrupt programming between 7 PM and 5 AM).

I just don't understand what the big gripe is over auto-interrupting programming to disseminate a severe weather warning or other public alert. Too many radio stations do not see weather as a high priority anymore; Are they are assuming that people will go elsewhere for weather information? This is a grave mistake that radio stations continue to make. The disaster in Minot is a good example. Another example - close to home for me - was the failure of the primary radio station in Calhoun County, Alabama to broadcast a severe weather alert when an F5 tornado struck in a rural part of the county in 1993. That radio station was the only readily-available media source in that area...and dozens of people were killed because they had no idea that the storm was coming.

If you don't take severe weather reporting on radio seriously, your station WILL eventually pay the price.

 

[jhead]

Some sort of alert should have been given but taylorengineer has a point. There has to be a degree (s) of personal responsibility to check the weather. Strong thunder and lightening is a strong indicator that severe weather is in an area. I am not very familar with Americus but there has bound to be a television station is the area that should/would give alerts. Radio isn't the only way to recieve weather info.

 

[kyscott]

Most stations do not auto-interrupt for weather warnings.
Personal responsibility.....people need to be aware of the weather! Who starts the day NOT knowing the weather outlook? And severe weather does not come "sneaking" in like a tsunami or an earthquake.....it's not like the thunder/lightning/hail doesn't provide a small hint to check the radio for advisories.

How can you check the radio for advisories, when the radio stations were not passing the advisories along from the weather service? You can have thunder/lightning/hail without severe tornados. Radio broadcasters are in a unique position to warn people of impending disasters and doom because it's a very portable medium. Radio broadcasters can reach many people quickly, hence the reason we have the EAS system in the first place. They used to take that position seriously. However any broadcaster that thinks he is service to the public by plugging in the Jones Radio Network and then walking away from it is sadly mistaken. If you live in Georgia, then you know the weather can change from moment to moment.

Any broadcaster that does not auto interrupt for weather warnings is not serving the public and is a very foolish person.

 

[kyscott]

Maybe I'm wrong, but when there is no one there at the station (VT or syndicated show), the EAS isn't going to get sent anyway.

It is supposed to...if set up properly. You can set up an EAS box to immediate forward, timed forward, timed ignore and log only any EAS alert it receives. Any broadcaster in this area that does not have their EAS box monitoring the National Weather Service, and then immediate forward any tornado warning for their listening area is just plain stupid.

 

[kyscott]

Some sort of alert should have been given but taylorengineer has a point. There has to be a degree (s) of personal responsibility to check the weather. Strong thunder and lightening is a strong indicator that severe weather is in an area. I am not very familar with Americus but there has bound to be a television station is the area that should/would give alerts. Radio isn't the only way to recieve weather info.

Do you drive around town with a television set in your car?

 

[jhead]

KY, I dnon;t know about you....but don't live out of my car. Televiion stations shoul also send out alarms.

 

[littlejohn]

A new EAS handbook just came out, so maybe your concerns will be addressed.

 

[kyscott]

A new EAS handbook just came out, so maybe your concerns will be addressed.

Unless this handbook can actually hook up and program the EAS box, I doubt it.

 

[whit979]

KY, I dnon;t know about you....but don't live out of my car. Televiion stations shoul also send out alarms.

All right, so you don't live out of your car. But what about people who do? This is where radio execs all too often make the mistake of assuming things. Placing liability on a. TV stations to do all severe weather reporting, and b. all citizens to find a TV set and watch it when severe weather strikes - those are two BIG assumptions.