|
|
|
Here is a question. If there was a tornado in Downers Grove June 21, why didn’t the village’s tornado sirens sound off?
Mayor Martin Tully said the village has a siren policy adopted by the National Weather Service. “And that was followed to the letter,” the mayor said.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado touched down in Downers Grove at 8:31 p.m. and for two minutes it traveled about two miles from about the intersection of Sunnydale Street and Woodward Avenue to about the intersection of 55th Street and Main Street.
Tully said that even though there was no failure to follow proper policy regarding siren procedure, the village should still consider whether improvements are warranted.
According to the village, the tornado warning system “specifies that visual confirmation of a funnel cloud or tornado is required when considering siren activation. Small tornadoes lasting just several minutes, like the one experienced on Tuesday evening, are difficult to identify particularly at night when visibility is poor.”
As of the morning of June 23, Tully himself still had no power at his house. He too lost trees on his property. And his wife’s car was damaged during the storm.
“The side-view mirror was sheer cleaned off by a tree that came down,” Tully said.
Power
ComEd is still not giving a clear idea of when they will get power restored.
According to the company’s Website there are still 3,000 to 10,000 customers without power in the service area that includes Downers Grove.
This morning, a number of power lines could still be seen dangling dangerously above streets. ComEd crews and trucks could also be seen either working on downed wires or inspecting them.
Tony Hernandez, a spokesman for ComEd said all wires should be considered a threat.
“You should always assume that the downed power line is live and extremely dangerous,” Hernandez said.
More damage assessment
Downers Grove Park District’s Director of Parks Todd Reese said the district’s properties have been hit as well. Some parks still have yellow caution tape around large downed branches.
Reese said the district’s first priority after the storm was to address safety issues.
He said parks on the east-side of the village got the worst damage.
“The east side and certain south portions of the park system seem to be hit harder in terms of tree damage... (than the north and west),” Reese said.
Here is a question. If there was a tornado in Downers Grove June 21, why didn’t the village’s tornado sirens sound off?
Mayor Martin Tully said the village has a siren policy adopted by the National Weather Service. “And that was followed to the letter,” the mayor said.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado touched down in Downers Grove at 8:31 p.m. and for two minutes it traveled about two miles from about the intersection of Sunnydale Street and Woodward Avenue to about the intersection of 55th Street and Main Street.
Tully said that even though there was no failure to follow proper policy regarding siren procedure, the village should still consider whether improvements are warranted.
According to the village, the tornado warning system “specifies that visual confirmation of a funnel cloud or tornado is required when considering siren activation. Small tornadoes lasting just several minutes, like the one experienced on Tuesday evening, are difficult to identify particularly at night when visibility is poor.”
As of the morning of June 23, Tully himself still had no power at his house. He too lost trees on his property. And his wife’s car was damaged during the storm.
“The side-view mirror was sheer cleaned off by a tree that came down,” Tully said.
Power
ComEd is still not giving a clear idea of when they will get power restored.
According to the company’s Website there are still 3,000 to 10,000 customers without power in the service area that includes Downers Grove.
This morning, a number of power lines could still be seen dangling dangerously above streets. ComEd crews and trucks could also be seen either working on downed wires or inspecting them.
Tony Hernandez, a spokesman for ComEd said all wires should be considered a threat.
“You should always assume that the downed power line is live and extremely dangerous,” Hernandez said.
More damage assessment
Downers Grove Park District’s Director of Parks Todd Reese said the district’s properties have been hit as well. Some parks still have yellow caution tape around large downed branches.
Reese said the district’s first priority after the storm was to address safety issues.
He said parks on the east-side of the village got the worst damage.
“The east side and certain south portions of the park system seem to be hit harder in terms of tree damage... (than the north and west),” Reese said.
The storm caused damage to the outdoor property and facilities at Community High School District 99, both at North High School and South High School. According to the district, trees were damaged or lost, multiple roofs were impaired and other equipment, such as fencing, temporary bleachers and sheds, were affected.
The most significant damage occurred to the fence surrounding the tennis courts at South High School, which will need to be completely replaced.
The tennis summer camp at South High School will be relocated to other facilities for the remainder of the camp session.
With the exception of the summer tennis camp at South High School, summer school and other camps are continuing as planned.
