Confused Johnson County residents call 911 after sirens activated during storm

Two years after Johnson County emergency managers changed their outdoor siren policy, people continue to call 911 after the sirens are activated.

Late Sunday night dispatchers received around 50 calls in a two-hour period, many from confused residents after the sirens were activated county-wide at 11 p.m.

The outdoor siren system in Johnson County is activated for any storm that threatens winds of 70 mph or greater, or produces golf-ball sized hail.

"Calls to 911 can tie up our dispatchers from handling real emergencies," said Tom Jones, executive director of the Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center.

Dispatchers expect more calls the next time severe weather strikes in Johnson County.

"People should go indoors, go in the basement and get information from local media," Jones said.