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So as somebody who grew up in a place without tornados and now lives in a place with them, let me be the first to say that when the dispatcher says: ----- "If

So as somebody who grew up in a place without tornados and now lives in a place with them, let me be the first to say that when the dispatcher says: ----- "If you decided to come back, that choice is yours," replied the dispatcher. "But I can tell you it won't be viewed as for your own safety. The safest practice is to stay exactly where you are. If you decide to return with your packages, it will be viewed as you refusing your route, which will ultimately end with you not having a job come tomorrow morning. The sirens are just a warning." ----- that's just plain not true. I mean, yes, the sirens are technically just a warning. But they don't go off until things get really serious. If you hear them, you need to get to actual shelter as quickly as possible. They're not just some vague suggestion. I have no idea how some supervisor who presumably lives in a tornado region could not realize that!

Miner49er 5y ago
They're a warning that a tornado has been indicated by radar or actually seen by a person. Where I'm from I only ever remember them being issued when seen by an actual person, where I am now it's mostly if radar is showing it, it seems.
AnimalMuppet 5y ago
Or the supervisor just doesn't care. Getting stuff delivered during Christmas rush is worth gambling with some nobody's life, right? /s
- deleted 5y ago
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ascagnel_ 5y ago
> I mean, yes, the sirens are technically just a warning. But they don't go off until things get really serious. If you hear them, you need to get to actual shelter as quickly as possible. I don't live in a tornado area, but I had always assumed tornado warnings functioned similarly to other storm warnings -- a "watch" indicates elevated activity and likelihood of a severe weather event, while a "warning" indicates danger is likely and you should take appropriate action immediately to avoid danger.
- nharada 5y ago
  A watch means conditions that would likely allow a tornado are present, a warning means a funnel has been spotted either visually or on radar. I grew up in a tornado prone area, and during a warning we were taught to shelter in the basement since it means there's a tornado somewhere in the area.
- jscheel 5y ago
  I live in Dixie Alley, we have to take warnings seriously here. A warning does not mean "danger is likely." The NWS defines a warning like so: "A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."
  - totesraunch 5y ago
    As a west-coaster I'm curious, if during a warning people are driving/walking around what's the standard thing people do? Do business allow public in for safety or do people try and go home?

Miner49er 5y ago

They're a warning that a tornado has been indicated by radar or actually seen by a person. Where I'm from I only ever remember them being issued when seen by an actual person, where I am now it's mostly if radar is showing it, it seems.

AnimalMuppet 5y ago

Or the supervisor just doesn't care. Getting stuff delivered during Christmas rush is worth gambling with some nobody's life, right? /s

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]

ascagnel_ 5y ago

> I mean, yes, the sirens are technically just a warning. But they don't go off until things get really serious. If you hear them, you need to get to actual shelter as quickly as possible. I don't live in a tornado area, but I had always assumed tornado warnings functioned similarly to other storm warnings -- a "watch" indicates elevated activity and likelihood of a severe weather event, while a "warning" indicates danger is likely and you should take appropriate action immediately to avoid danger.

nharada 5y ago
A watch means conditions that would likely allow a tornado are present, a warning means a funnel has been spotted either visually or on radar. I grew up in a tornado prone area, and during a warning we were taught to shelter in the basement since it means there's a tornado somewhere in the area.
jscheel 5y ago
I live in Dixie Alley, we have to take warnings seriously here. A warning does not mean "danger is likely." The NWS defines a warning like so: "A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."
- totesraunch 5y ago
  As a west-coaster I'm curious, if during a warning people are driving/walking around what's the standard thing people do? Do business allow public in for safety or do people try and go home?