Jackson County Commission Regular Session, Storm Sheltering, Citizen Presentation - April 13, 2015

Jackson County Courthouse, South Side (photo by G. Morgan)

AGENDA

See video for storm sheltering presentation & problems.

VIDEO

Removed from the Jackson County Courthouse During a Tornado Warning - Pets Not Allowed - Citizens Not Informed

BeBe

A report on my experience at the Jackson County Court House during the tornado warnings this evening, April 3, 2015, approximately 8:30-9:00PM. There were two radar reported tornadoes during this time frame on or near the Jackson-Madison County Line. My Weather Underground Radar subscription indicated one tornado near the Jackson - Madison County line near Gurley. At that point I left to go to the nearest storm shelter, the Jackson County Court House.

Unfortunately some folks employed by Jackson County do not realize the importance of pets to people in storms. I was removed from the Jackson County Court House this evening during the tornado warnings because I brought my pet with me. Never before had this been a problem with pets in the court house during storms.

Mr. Felix Jackson, EMA Representative stated I must remove my dog, my reply, “I would not leave until the storm was over.” Jackson informed me, “I could stay but the dog had to go because of insurance reasons.” Again he was informed, “I would leave as soon as the storm was over.” (BeBe, my dog, was in a harness and on a leash, very quiet and much behaved.) His reply, "the dog must go but you may stay," My reply, "no, I'm not leaving unless you get the Sheriff’s Department to make me leave," and he did. If I must remove my dog, I would not have been present in the shelter.

Mr. Jackson left for a few minutes and returned with two Sheriff’s Deputies, one Lieutenant and one Sargent. On that note, Mr. Jackson informed me, "the dog must go, but you may stay." Again I stated, "I'll leave as soon as the storm is over," again Jackson stated, "the dog cannot stay." I was not going to put my dog out into the storm, BeBe was given to me by my wife before she passed away. No way was I going to treat my beloved pet in such a fashion

The answer would have been to say this - "Mr. Morgan, dogs are no longer allowed in the Court House, as soon as the storm is over please take your dog out and remember that you may not bring your dog into the court house unless it is a service dog." When I left I informed Mr. Jackson, with the two Sheriff's Deputies present, "you have not heard the end of this." Mr. Jackson replied, "You know where I'm at."

There are no signs posted at any entrance or exit at the Jackson County Court House that pets, during a storm, are not allowed.

I've attended 99% of regular commission meetings where decisions are made by vote, and never has there been any notice or information placed into the public view or discussion during any meeting about no pets in the court house storm shelter. BeBe has been with me on several occasions in the court house to take shelter from inclement weather. Never has there been a problem until this evening, when BeBe and I were put out into the storm.

Update: April 4, 2015 - 4:00PM I have been informed by Face Book message by those present witnessing the incident in the courthouse storm shelter, there was at least one other small dog present and Mr. Jackson went straight for me immediately after my arrival. Within 5 minutes of my arrival Mr. Jackson was asking me to remove my dog. 

Discussing this incident with retired law enforcement, there is a question whether there is a law affecting Jackson County which prohibits pets from public storm shelters in Jackson County. 

Today there is a printer originated notice on the door of the storm shelter entrance that says, "No Pets Allowed." I saw no such notice last night posted on the door to the shelter entrance. When was there a county commission resolution passed stating this policy? After review of video and agendas for the past 3 years I can find no such policy approved by the Jackson County Commission. County Animal Control Ordinance passed by resolution contradicts the actions taken by officials of Jackson County.  

As it turns out, pets in shelters is a national problem, there is an answer, "pet carriers."

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/tornado-shelters-doggy-dilemma-pets-allowed-article-1.1768691

Severe Weather in Jackson County, Failed Warning System

Local storm track at 3:40-3:45 AM, circles indicate damage to homes or structures. A indicates Rosalie, Al. Click on maps or photos for expanded view.

Northeast Alabama storm Track from Cullman, Morgan County to Jackson County, Al.. At approximately 3:15 it was reported that a tornado was on the ground at Columbus City near grant.

Damage near Pleasant View Community, State Hwy 40 & co Rd 22.

Approximately 4:00AM, Oct. 25, 2010 Jackson County experienced severe weather, tornado vortex signature and damage indicates an F-0 or F-1 tornado.

National Weather Service issued Tornado Warnings as early as 2:30AM for Morgan County, tornado warnings were issued at approximately 3:15 for Marshall Co. and Jackson Co. at 3:45. It was obvious that the line of storms was going to involve Jackson County at 2:45 AM. Unfortunately our EMA did not react nor was there a sufficient warning issued. Prior conversations with the Jackson County EMA officials reveal that due to the fear of legal action warnings will not be issued until the National Weather Service issues a specific warning for the area. Here we have bureaucrats making decisions of life and death based on a fear of legal action not decisions based on good sense and science. Bureaucratic Protocol takes precedent over good sense, science and the issuance of life saving, timely severe weather warnings.

From 3:45 till 4:10 AM Jackson County experienced severe weather destroying property, down trees and power lines on Sand Mountain between Rosalie and Henager. Damage was also reported near Section. A tornado was reported on the ground at Columbus City near Grant, Al.

911 reported calls from many citizens of the area reporting they were attempting to gain access to area public shelters, however those shelters were closed. The emergency warning system did not sound in Scottsboro although a tornado warning was issued.

The area around Co Rd. 422 off of State Rd. 40 reported severe damage, per 911 communications; area around Pleasant View also reporting damage.

First Responders and road crews were out early cleaning up the blocked roads and checking for damage and entrapment. Mutual assistance call has gone out due to severe damage on Sand Mt. State Hwy. 40 area. A tornado was reported in that area (see photos above).

Protocol vs Life Saving Tornado Warnings or Money vs Life

In the early morning hours of February the 6th, 2008 an EF4 tornado, according to the National Weather Service, touched down in Jackson County. I was up and tracking the storm from the point it demonstrated a Tornado Vortex Signature approximately 60 miles southwest of Scottsboro until the storm was immediately west of Guntersville. At that point the Weather Underground site demonstrated the storm would either hit Scottsboro or Sand Mountain. Either way I decided it was time to leave my home and go to the nearest shelter, which was the Jackson County Courthouse. I sat in my car for a few moments and waited for an audible warning over WKEA radio. It was pouring rain and the wind was blowing hard. The first audible official warning was sounded on the radio between 5:05 and 5:10. I immediately went inside the Courthouse basement. By this time the storm was already in Jackson County. My previous tracking of the storm over Weather Underground and Monitoring of all TV stations indicated the storm was moving at 55-65 mph. The storm was already in Jackson County before the warning was given. I did not hear the warning sirens in Scottsboro at 5:05. A friend of mine near the Dutton Community told me he heard the first official warning at 5:10 and they headed to his storm shelter. He stated to me he could hear the warning sirens as they proceeded to take shelter. The tornado struck the Pisgah-Rosalie area at 5:15AM.

I have been performing extensive research on National Weather Service (NWS) tornado warning protocol. I found this disturbing information: http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/120818.pdf This paper indicates the NWS is more concerned over savings of money in sheltering people rather than saving life. The disturbing paragraph reads as follows:
"As cited earlier, a NWS demonstration test in 2005
showed reduction in the area warned at near 70%. A
recent scientific study by University of Oklahoma
Associate Professor of Economics Dan Sutter (now
associated with University of Texas – Pan American)
concluded that a reduction of 70% of the area warned
would minimally save the economy hundreds of millions
of dollars in reduced cost of sheltering (Sutter, 2006)."

This individual storm warning protocol has been sold to citizens as a measure to advance the warning of life threatening storms. I can distinctly remember local weather news broadcasts indicating this fact. If the system is applied properly it will do exactly that, a superior advanced storm warning for specific areas. However, this is not the case, it appears the system and the bureaucrats running it prefer to utilize the system, as the article indicates, to save money NOT LIVES. The February 6, 2008 official storm warning was not given until the storm was well into Jackson County. This defeats the purpose of a comprehensive warning system.

It is my belief that the NWS and the County's EMA warning system is hindered by bureaucratic protocol. Kudos should go out to the local TV stations and their staffs. They did a wonderful job warning the public of this storm and saved lives. The Weather Underground web site is another wonderful tool in storm warnings. (This site is linked in my links section.) No home should be without a weather warning radio, properly programmed and turned on.

I wondered why the NWS and EMA did not issue a timely warning, now I know the reason, bureaucratic protocol placed over life saving measures. It is my belief this damning article proves the point, along with eyewitness testimony of the actual warning. (photo credits: public domain money stack photo; tornado n' lightning: http://wallpapers.jurko.net/pic/1130/ ; Rosalie Damage photo, courtesy: Creig Moore

Addition, 2/20/2008: The Jackson County EMA does not initiate siren "warnings" for Scottsboro. Scottsboro does not have any warning sirens as of this date. After discussions with Victor Manning, Director Jackson County EMA, it has been revealed that the EMA issued 3 tornado warnings after the National Weather Service initiated the warnings. Times of the warnings were not recorded.