🚀 go-pugleaf

I think that another factor comes into play concerning the discussion as to
 whether or not the people of Spencer SD had adequate warning prior to their
 tornadic event.

As pointed out in numerous news reports, Spencer is a very small farm town (300
 pop., about 1/4 mile square or so) located in rural South Dakota.  This
 probably makes the population older and by their choice, more self-reliant.
 They've more than likely weathered droughts, hail, severe thunderstorms, etc.
 more than once.  Point is, it probably takes more than just your "average"
 tornado warning to scare most of these folks.

Also, again based on the demographics, a lot of these people probably don't
 spend a lot of money on "electronics".  As my grandmother would say: "What do I
 need one of those weather radio things for?  I've seen thunderstorms for 70
 years."

Given an adequate warning system, you can provide warnings and information to a
 large majority of the public.  You can not dictate their reactions.

(I apologize if this sounds derogatory to any segment of the population
 discussed above.  It is not intended that way; I'm simply trying to offer a
 viewpoint that may be missed by some who are city dwellers.  BTW, I grew up in
 and around a very similar town in Kansas wheat country.)

Gayland Kitch         gkitch@ci.moore.ok.us
Director of Emergency Management & Communications
The City of Moore, Oklahoma
http://www.ci.moore.ok.us/emermgt

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