James Spann on tornado warning system.

[Fred Gossage]

And if we do that, we start cheapening "Tornado Emergency" in the eyes of the public, the people who already bend over backwards, looking for excuses to not take these things seriously. People already ignore tornado warnings, as we've been talking about. What happens when we have too many Tornado Emergencies issued... and tornadoes are confirmed.... but they're weak and only do minor damage. This is what will happen. "Oh, it's just a Tornado Emergency. The last time they said that, I lost a few shingles. No big deal. That stuff never happens here." The people we're trying to get to take these things seriously already say stuff like that during tornado warnings. We may get folks to pay a little more attention at first.... but when the majority of these tornadoes don't do major damage or kill people, we will make Tornado Emergency just as useless to the public as Severe Thunderstorm Warning.... and if you can't see that, you're doing nothing but fooling yourself.

[Clay]

With this being the subject, I'd just like to say that no matter what kind of warning system your community has whether it be sirens or cut-in TV coverage or weather radios, there are always going to be people that are too ignorant to care. It's really sad and it's proof that our society has gotten to the point that it needs a nanny too often. While I understand to weather novices all the watches and warnings can get confusing, you can't get too over wrapped in "are we using this warning too much? or "Do people think our warnings hold any credibility?". While it is important to employ the most advanced methods of warning, the fact of the matter is that if you are aware of watches and warnings, have had several days in advance to become aware of the ensuing weather conditions, are placed under any type of warning or emergency issued by an accredited group of meteorologists and CONTINUE to ignore the threat, that's your fault. If your ignorance leads to avoidable loss of property or even lives, that's unfortunate but you can't blame anyone else. Like the proverb says, you can lead a horse to the water but you can't make them drink it. Yeah what I said was somewhat controversial but at this point that's how I feel. Anyone feel free to tell me where they disagree.

[ChrisPC]

I totally agree; some people won't ever listen. This year woke some of them up, hopefully.

[Fred Gossage]

I totally agree; some people won't ever listen. This year woke some of them up, hopefully.

I wouldn't be so sure. There's still an alarming number of people out there... here in Alabama, even, after 4/27.... that still have the "if it's my time, it's my time" mentality.

[tennessee storm09]

I wouldn't be so sure. There's still an alarming number of people out there... here in Alabama, even, after 4/27.... that still have the "if it's my time, it's my time" mentality.

i agree with you 100 percent there fred... because that is the exact words my wife tells me. if its my time.

[ChrisPC]

I wouldn't be so sure. There's still an alarming number of people out there... here in Alabama, even, after 4/27.... that still have the "if it's my time, it's my time" mentality.

I know. That's why I said "some" and not "many."

[kailynleto | Nightwolf]

Stop trying to save meteorologically suicidal lives.  Focus your attention on those who do want to live after tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, ice storms, etc. etc.  It's like pouring money into a bankrupt financial institution that you KNOW is insolvent.  Seriously.

[StormNine]

A few things to add.

- Tornadoes have been really deadly, but damaging wind events have been pretty deadly as well this year. Damaging winds especially in mobile homes and outside can be really deadly. It is really a good idea to evacuate mobile homes/sheds and other prone structures even in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning especially when there is a widespread damaging wind threat. I wouldn't mind the NWS do away with the summertime pulse T-Storm Warnings unless they are in an organized MCS like the Memphis to Miss. area had a few days ago. The pulse warnings are often severe before the warning gets out then weaken dramatically, and often very isolated and barely fulfill the criteria of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Which leads to when a Derecho or massive wind threat hits the public being like well that is just a "Severe Thunderstorm Warning" no need to pay attention to that.

- I agree with keeping the Tornado Emergency like the PDS of the Tornado Warnings, but having stronger wording for any confirmed tornado. Still keep wording even on Doppler radar situations that will convince a public to take cover. Remember that if a storm moves over a rural area like far Western KY even if it is producing a tornado no one would know because there aren't many people to report it. Also it could be rain-wrapped so you may not be able to see the tornado.

- Warn on QLCS or Squall Line or Derechoes the spinups and areas of distinct rotation not the whole line itself.

- Not everyone in public will heed the warnings. I wish they would, but some would rather not. If a show like American Idol is on during the severe weather event some would rather get blown away by the tornado then to miss any part of the show.

- Use spotters, storm ready communities, social media as the lifeline on severe weather reports. If you have facebook or twitter there is nothing wrong with posting warnings and providing updates for your area or surrounding areas during severe weather events to get the word out. Someone might be watching their twitter or facebook feed to get the update on the he/she said drama going around town. That person could see the Tornado Warning that you posted and take action, or at least get them to monitor the situation. Having someone on the News team monitor possible damage reports or pictures helps spread more ground truth information from public to Mets. and back to the public. On the topic of spotters many people in my community Christian County rely on what is one of the most organized storm spotter teams in the nation to go out on the field and go after the storms. Many people in my county and even surrounding counties have been tuning in to their online feed and it really helps out the warning process. Other counties like Ballard, McCracken, Marshall and others in Western KY also do this. It really helps out the NWS and public as they can get ground truth that radar cannot see.

- Sometimes I like football and things like that. Don't be afraid to either do a split screen or go wall to wall if you're a news media station even during a popular show or event. Sure the public isn't going to be happy, but those in the path of the storms that are watching that show or event could get lifesaving warnings.