In light of Monday’s tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma killing 24 people and nearly leveling the Moore, Okla., community of 56,000 people, Winona Lake councilmen discussed the local tornado warning system and acknowledged its ineffectiveness.

Councilman Randy Swanson said he recalled discussion as much as 15 months ago that centered around the town’s only tornado siren located at the Winona Lake Fire Department. “The one siren we had wasn’t working and I think was going to be fixed. Was it fixed and does it work now?” he asked.

WLFD Chief Mitch Titus said the 8-speaker unit has only two speakers that work.

Swanson noted that, due to the devastation seen in Oklahoma, “I think the council needs to be reminded of the vulnerability.”

Town coordinator Craig Allebach said the biggest problem with the tornado siren is it is meant to be an outside alert. “It still doesn’t cover you for inside,” he explained, ” … for the cost of the siren you could almost get everyone a weather radio.” He also noted that personal alerts sent right to cell phones are available often times for free and are more accurate than sirens, which are costly to install and repair.

Even when fully functioning, Allebach, Titus and Winona Lake Police Chief Paul Schmitt acknowledged the audible siren is not capable of reaching all areas of Winona Lake. Titus said in his research he has found that it would take a total of 5 tornado sirens throughout the town to serve all areas.

Pete O’Connell, street department superintendent, said the original siren was not repaired because a problem was detected in the wiring.

It was agreed that the council will again look into repairing the existing siren while continuing to explore options pertaining to additional tornado alert systems.

The Red Cross currently offers a free smartphone tornado alert app that is available in both English and Spanish for both iPhones and Androids.

The Red Cross Tornado App includes features like a high-pitched siren and tornado warning alert that signals when a NOAA tornado warning has been issued. An all-clear alert also lets users know when a tornado warning has expired or has been cancelled.

The Red Cross app also features:

• Location-based NOAA tornado, severe thunderstorm and flood watch and warning alerts
• Enhanced weather maps and information provided by Weather Underground, a digital brand of The Weather Company
• One touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm’s way
• Preloaded content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity
• Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm
• Locations of open Red Cross shelters

Other smartphone apps are also available, including Weather Radio by NOAA, the Weather Channel app and eWeather HD from Elecont Software. Some apps require a fee.