© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

MetroSafe Chief: Tornado Warning Error Was Avoidable

Louisville Metro Government officials say they’ll issue a report later this week on why emergency sirens weren’t activated during a tornado warning Monday morning. MetroSafe Director Doug Hamilton says there was confusion among emergency management supervisors who, "overly relied" on a National Weather Service radio system that issued the warning. The warning was not picked up by MetroSafe and as a result no sirens were sounded."Clearly an avoidable error on our part, but we appreciate the opportunity to look at the technology, the processes and the people, all of which worked together for us to have successfully sounded the sirens in this community for many, many years. But we acknowledge it may be a process that may not work for us in the future," he said at a Wednesday news conference.Hamilton says MetroSafe will review its procedures and insure that there’s a backup source of information for warnings and other advisories.

Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.