The current average lead-time for tornado warnings is 13 minutes.
You have 13 minutes, at the most, to receive a warning from the National Weather Service and act on it.
How will you get your warning? Professionals encourage three ways.
1. Local government text and email alerts such as the service provided by Cowley County Emergency Management. If your local government doesn't provide this service, there are a number of free services that do. WeatherCall costs $10 per year.
2. Local AM/FM/Television media. Don't hate them for breaking into your programming. It's required. You need a BATTERY-Powered receiver for when the power goes out.
3. Ham Radio clubs partner with the National Weather Service to relay reports. This is part of the Skywarn program. Of course, ham radio is not required to participate in Skywarn, but who "you gonna call" when the power goes out. Many offer feeds on Broadcastify so you can listen without needing a license.
4. Even Newspapers offer text alerts.
5. Twitter ... many National Weather Service offices tweet information beforehand and many other services offer warning via this method and Facebook.
There are others. All told, there's a number of different ways listed above. This is the first and last mention of sirens. What are your three?
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