News : Tornado Sirens, when they are activated and why

Fortunately, we all survived the odd March tornado that hit Vinton. In light of the souls lost in Winterset, it's not a small thing.

Scott Hansen of Benton County Emergency Management sounded the sirens across Vinton on Saturday night six minutes after we were included in a tornado warning, at 6:50 p.m. Hansen had been tracking the storms throughout the day. He knew as he tracked the storms that were headed into Benton County, that we might be in trouble. Once the area had been targeted by the storm it's either a hit or a miss. But when Hansen pushes that siren button he's pretty sure it's going to hit the area.

When a storm is incoming, Hansen will continue to warn about the storm until it leaves the area. Following the first alarm, a second was sounded about 15 minutes later, followed by yet a third. Hansen said that as soon as you hear that first siren, head to the basement, don't wait for a second or third warning, there's no guarantee that there will be time for more than one warning.

Hansen explained that the sirens were sounded three times to warn those that might be coming into town. before the storm hit or for anyone who may not have heard the first siren. Only when the sirens are no longer being sounded is it safe to come out.

Hansen uses the same radar that the National Weather Service uses to decide if and when to activate the sirens. He is responsible for all of the towns in Benton County except for Mt. Auburn, Luzerne and Walford.

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that hit Vinton came in as an EF-1 which means that the winds had a maximum speed of 110 miles per hour. It is estimated that the tornado stayed on the ground for approximately 11 minutes and traveled 8.5 miles.

The Governor included Benton County in the Declaration proclamation on Monday afternoon. This allows residents affected by the tornado to receive additional assistance. After contacting your insurance company you can see if you qualify for other assistance that might be available if you have been affected by the storm. The assistance is income-based. Don't simply assume that you qualify or that you won't qualify.

The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition will also be available for those who need assistance, but don't qualify for the federal individual assistance grant money due to income.