Sound sirens for tornado warnings only

At 5:10 a.m. Monday, I awoke to what I believed was a tornado warning. I jumped out of bed and immediately got my family and dog into the basement. Once there, we turned on our television to learn that, pursuant to a new policy, Linn County sounds the sirens when straight-line winds of 60 mph or greater are detected.

Although I understand the desire to err on the side of caution, I urge Linn County leaders to consider human nature before making decisions of this type. If the emergency sirens regularly sound when there is no tornado warning, many people will do one of two things: ignore the sirens because they'll figure it's just another false alarm; or, delay their response because they want to find out what is happening.

I live near Peace Avenue where a tornado struck a few years ago. That tornado was already on the ground before folks could even respond to the sirens. If folks delay their response to a warning because they frequently hear false warnings, this new policy will ultimately cost lives.

I urge the county authorities to stop crying “wolf.”

Chris Bruns

Cedar Rapids