Joplin Sirens Sound for 'Tornado Possible' Storms

Joplin city officials have revised the outdoor warning siren activation policy to enhance resident safety during severe weather. This decision comes after an EF1 tornado, with peak winds of 95 mph, struck west Joplin on April 24, causing damage to city properties at Schifferdecker Park and some residential areas.

The National Weather Service now labels some storms with a "tornado possible" tag, a designation that previously did not trigger siren alerts. However, due to the rapid development of weather events, as seen on April 24, the city has opted to change this protocol.

The updated policy will activate storm sirens when the weather service issues a tornado warning, a severe thunderstorm warning with the "tornado possible" tag, or when a trained storm spotter reports a tornado impacting Jasper or Newton counties, or Cherokee County, Kansas, with a projected track towards Joplin.

This revised approach aims to provide clearer activation criteria while minimizing unnecessary siren activations. City officials have communicated with the National Weather Service regarding desired warning issuance for potential tornado-like rotation indicated on radar in the Joplin area.