LIGHTNING STRIKE CAUSES SIREN MALFUNCTION

MAY 19, 2012

Thunderstorms moving through the Bemidji area at approximately 1:15AM
on May 19th, 2012 resulted in a lightning strike very close to an
outdoor warning siren located on Mill St NE which caused a malfunction
of the outdoor warning siren network in the City of Bemidji.  Beltrami
County Communications Officers were notified by residents in that area
the sirens sounded immediately following a lightning strike near Mill
St NE.  Communications Officers immediately turned off the sirens, but
the sirens did sound for a couple of minutes before the cancellation
message was received.  Dozens of calls were received to the Beltrami
County 911 Dispatch Center inquiring on the sirens.  At the time of
the malfunction there was widespread cloud to ground lightning and
areas of downpours.  No severe weather warnings were in effect.

As a reminder, under normal circumstances the outdoor warning sirens
are intended to provide warning to people outdoors in emergency events
to find a source of additional information and seek shelter if
appropriate.  These warnings include severe thunderstorm warnings with
damaging winds, tornado warnings, or other emergency situations.  In
weather emergencies, good sources for additional information include
commercial radio and television, the internet, and NOAA All Hazards
Radio.

Sirens are routinely tested during Severe Weather Awareness Week, as
well as the first Wednesday of the month at 1:00pm during the summer
months.








~Christopher Muller
Assistant Emergency Management Director /
911 Communications Team Leader /
Law Enforcement Center TAC

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office
613 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
ph.218-333-8386
chris.muller@co.beltrami.mn.us