The new tornado siren for Prairie Township is located in Clunette, near the intersection of CR 400W and CR 600N. Photo provided by Julie Goon.

By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

CLUNETTE — A new tornado siren has been installed in Prairie Township.

According to Prairie Township Trustee Julie Goon, the new siren was installed to help cover the rest of Prairie Township.

“The first siren went up in Atwood just north of the old Atwood School two years ago,” said Goon. “The siren(s) covers a four-mile radius, so it would not reach all of the people in Prairie Township.”

According to Goon, the siren locations were chosen based on population. Atwood’s siren covers Hoffman Lake and Clunette covers surrounding housing developments. There is some overlap with surrounding townships as well, Goon said.

Both sirens “should cover everyone in Prairie Township now,” said Goon.

The second siren was purchased from J&K Communications for $34,000, Goon said. Funds were used from Prairie Township’s Cumulative Fire Fund, which also covers fire truck purchases and repairs, and assets such as the weather siren.

The siren was tested by county dispatch on Tuesday, Feb. 27, Goon said. J&K Communications assisted with the final set up and the siren is now active.

According to weather.gov, March 10-16, 2024, is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Indiana. Sirens such as in Clunette will be tested at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, or Wednesday, March 13. 

“We got this one in just in time for our severe weather (week) coming up. I was happy about that,” Goon said. The siren was ordered in October 2023.