WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake Town Council discussed how to protect its residents in the event of a natural disaster and heard the town’s tornado siren is partially operable. During Tuesday night’s council meeting, Councilman Randy Swanson asked for an update on repairs to the town’s single tornado siren at the Winona Lake Fire Station on Kings Highway. “You hate to find out after the fact of a real tragedy something we thought was fixed wasn’t fixed and I’m just saying the council should be aware of what we have and don’t have and alternatives,” Swanson said. The council 18 months ago heard a presentation from J & K Communication, who suggested an additional four sirens were needed in the town, and a minimum of three sirens. The cost for each siren would be $26,000 to $28,000. The town has not acted on purchasing or replacing the tornado sirens. Winona Lake Fire Chief Mitch Titus said the town’s one siren, which dates back to 1942, only has two of its eight speakers in operation. “With the siren not working fully I think the council ought to be reminded of vulnerability,” Swanson said. Rita Gesaman, a Winona Lake resident, said residents should be prepared and the town should have an operable tornado siren. “I hope it would be a priority,” Gesaman said. She asked if there are underground shelters where residents can go in instances of poor weather. Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said Gordon Rec Center is a possible location, but there is not a designated underground shelter. Allebach said the town discussed residents having weather radios in their homes. The town also has discussed text alerts for poor weather. Town Marshal Paul Schmitt requested the town look into how much it would cost to place weather radios in residents’ homes.
