We need a better system of CD sirens

"In reality, I don't care what kind of system our planners come up with. All I know is this - we need something better. A better mousetrap (so to speak). What we have now is old and outdated. Not with the hardware used - but the types of warnings given." 

Some time ago, there was a minor incident up at the Monticello nuclear plant. When they talked about it on the news, it was reported it was all under control, and there was no need for anyone to evacuate. Wait - what? What do you mean evacuate? If it had been worse, and some radiation became airborne and headed for the Twin Cities, the sirens would have gone off. What sirens? The tornado sirens? Well, those are the only ones we have.

If North Korea or some other bad actor pushes the red button, and a nuke is headed this way, how will we know? The sirens? The tornado sirens? The sirens would go off, and people would be looking outside to see the condition of the sky. When it is still blue skies, they will think it is a test of the system or a malfunction. Meanwhile, with today's hypersonic missiles, every second would count. 

The recent flood in Texas is another example. We need a warning system, that when activated, means GET OUT NOW! But if the only siren which is activated during a flash flood event is the wailing sirens which we all grew up with. When that siren goes off, people might think a rain wrapped tornado is on the way instead of flood waters. And, because they have been taught what to do when a tornado siren goes off, they might take cover underground instead of running for higher ground. 

I have thought for years we should have three types of sirens. The most common would stay - the wailing siren would be for tornados or straight-line winds exceeding a certain speed. People would hear that siren and take cover. The next would be a steady blare on the siren. That would mean an attack on the United States was imminent, and all should take cover ASAP. The third could be an intermittent blare on the siren. That would be for a radiation leak or flash flood. Hearing that siren would have people leave now. Go to an evacuation route or higher ground ASAP.

In reality, I don't care what kind of system our planners come up with. All I know is this - we need something better. A better mousetrap (so to speak). What we have now is old and outdated. Not with the hardware used - but the types of warnings given. 

These are just some random thoughts which have been knocking around in my head for years. I know we get warnings on TV, radio and internet also. But if you are outside, away from technology, you rely on the siren system. We can do better. We should do better. If not with more advanced warnings, then also the types of warnings. As I said earlier, if a nuke is headed this way on a hypersonic missile, we would have only a handful of minutes to get to shelter.