Some Adairsville residents said they didn't hear warning sirens when an EF-3 tornado tore through the town on Wednesday. However, the county emergency management director told FOX 5 that the sirens sounded multiple times in the 20 minutes leading up to the storm.
Shirley Curtis, who was working in a windowless office, is one of the residents who said she never heard a siren. She said her first warning came from an Adairsville policeman who rushed into the office.
"He opened the door and said, ‘It's over City Hall. A tornado is over City Hall,'" Curtis said.
The two rushed into a bathroom and were saved from falling debris.
Misty Baker was in her family storm shelter 10 minutes before the tornado hit. She said that she found out about the tornado from previous news reports.
Whether or not it sounded, Bartow County Emergency Management officials say they will be checking sirens to see if they worked. The county has 93 sirens altogether.
The National Weather Service says you shouldn't depend on sirens. They are meant as an outdoor warning only. They encourage everyone to use a layered approach of sirens, a NOAA weather radio, television and even smartphone technology.
NWS officials told Fox 5 that it is surprised that the strongest EF-3 tornado in Georgia history in a January did not claim more lives and cause more injuries. They say this kind of damage usually does more harm. So there is the belief that many, many people were warned somehow and took action.
The one fatality in Adairsville was to a man who was sleeping at the time the storm hit.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:56 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:56:14 GMT
Police are investigating a suspected rape at North Atlanta High School. Authorities say a male at the school raped a female student on campus during school hours.
Police are investigating a suspected rape at North Atlanta High School. Authorities say a male at the school raped a female student on campus during school hours.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:16 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:16:20 GMT
The owner of a proposed gun range squared off with some concerned residents at an Atlanta City Council meeting on Monday.
The owner of a proposed gun range squared off with some concerned residents at an Atlanta City Council meeting on Monday. The proposed gun range would be built in an old warehouse near Atlantic Station.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:42:18 GMT
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Omar Morales feels lucky to be here for his son Joshua's 10th birthday on Monday. Morales was one of the passengers on board a USAir flight that made an emergency landing at Newark Liberty.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:28:23 GMT
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
After Assemblyman Vito Lopez resigned over claims of serial sexual harassment of female staffers, attention turned to whether powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should continue his leadership.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Monday, May 20 2013 6:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:30:03 GMT
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Repair work on tracks that were damaged in last week's train collision has progressed quickly enough that the MTA predicts restoring full service along the New Haven line by Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:05:22 GMT
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:32:24 GMT
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
