Sheriff issues statement regarding weather sirens not being activated

Clark County Sheriff Scott Haines has shared a statement regarding the county’s response to the storm system that passed through Clark County the evening of May 21. The county was placed under a tornado warning at the time of the storm and the National Weather Service later confirmed that five tornadoes touched down within the county.

“During the interview with a reporter from WAOW 9, I informed her that I take full responsibility as sheriff for the weather sirens not being activated, and I apologized to the citizens affected by the severe weather,” Haines wrote in an email.

“I have no excuses for them not being activated; going forward we are looking at and reviewing our current protocols for severe weather and we will be conducting a yearly review in the future during April Tornado Awareness Week.

“After the severe weather passed, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the 21st of May, the Clark County Dispatch Center received 83 calls for service. In comparison to Monday, May 27, 2024, the Clark County Dispatch Center took 51 calls for service in a 24-hour period. It was busy and we ended up calling in two more dispatchers to assist with all the calls for service. Our communications deputies do a great job, day and night, 24/7, 365 days a year, under very stressful conditions. It is an honor working with them and I am thankful for all they do.”