At approximately 7:30 pm on Monday, June 21, the tornado warning sirens started up with that "long wailing tone" heard throughout the city of Monroe.
We have eight sirens located within the city limits to alert our citizens that a tornado warning is in effect and to take shelter immediately. The Monroe Police Department sounds the alert when weather conditions are right for a tornado. In the past, the warning used to be for the whole of Green County, which meant that a tornado could be north of New Glarus while Monroe had blue skies.
About a year ago, the National Weather Service developed new technology that narrowed the affected area in the path of a tornado. In other words, when the warning sirens go off in Monroe, a tornado may be imminent and should be taken seriously.
So what did you do when the warning sirens sounded? A reported tornado touched down near Gratiot put Monroe in harm's way. Did you go to your basement and turn on your weather radio scanner, or local radio, or TV for further updates?
Or did you go outside and stand in your lawn or on your sidewalk and look to the sky? "Oh my gosh," you would scream, as a funnel cloud bears down on you. How much time do you have? One minute, two minutes before you are swept up and land in Kansas?
The city is very much concerned about your health and safety. We would strongly urge everyone to take the tornado warnings very seriously, and seek shelter when the alert is sounded. Tornado season in the Midwest typically runs from April to September.
Marilyn and I went to the high school June 25 for the annual Relay For Life event. Hats off to all the volunteers who organize this fundraiser every year for the American Cancer Society for research and cancer patients.
A twice-sized golden full moon shined down on us, as day gave way to night, for the Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m. The track was circled with walkers and candles inside decorated bags to honor those brave souls who were fighting back against cancer and those who had lost their lives to cancer. Luminaries on the infield grass spelled out HOPE.
The candlelight ceremony was very emotional. Cancer has touched our families and friends in so many ways. Our tears flowed as we remembered those taken by cancer, and their spouses, children, parents and siblings.
Monroe's community spirit and support for Relay For Life is very important when we all come together to weep and remember and pledge our commitment to the fight of this disease.
Remember, it's your town.
- Bill Ross is mayor of Monroe
We have eight sirens located within the city limits to alert our citizens that a tornado warning is in effect and to take shelter immediately. The Monroe Police Department sounds the alert when weather conditions are right for a tornado. In the past, the warning used to be for the whole of Green County, which meant that a tornado could be north of New Glarus while Monroe had blue skies.
About a year ago, the National Weather Service developed new technology that narrowed the affected area in the path of a tornado. In other words, when the warning sirens go off in Monroe, a tornado may be imminent and should be taken seriously.
So what did you do when the warning sirens sounded? A reported tornado touched down near Gratiot put Monroe in harm's way. Did you go to your basement and turn on your weather radio scanner, or local radio, or TV for further updates?
Or did you go outside and stand in your lawn or on your sidewalk and look to the sky? "Oh my gosh," you would scream, as a funnel cloud bears down on you. How much time do you have? One minute, two minutes before you are swept up and land in Kansas?
The city is very much concerned about your health and safety. We would strongly urge everyone to take the tornado warnings very seriously, and seek shelter when the alert is sounded. Tornado season in the Midwest typically runs from April to September.
Marilyn and I went to the high school June 25 for the annual Relay For Life event. Hats off to all the volunteers who organize this fundraiser every year for the American Cancer Society for research and cancer patients.
A twice-sized golden full moon shined down on us, as day gave way to night, for the Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m. The track was circled with walkers and candles inside decorated bags to honor those brave souls who were fighting back against cancer and those who had lost their lives to cancer. Luminaries on the infield grass spelled out HOPE.
The candlelight ceremony was very emotional. Cancer has touched our families and friends in so many ways. Our tears flowed as we remembered those taken by cancer, and their spouses, children, parents and siblings.
Monroe's community spirit and support for Relay For Life is very important when we all come together to weep and remember and pledge our commitment to the fight of this disease.
Remember, it's your town.
- Bill Ross is mayor of Monroe
