OTTAWA — Franklin County Emergency Management director Alan Radcliffe said his office blew it. When the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Ottawa Saturday night as a series of power storm cells roared through the county, the sirens for Ottawa weren’t blown. Under the county policy, the warning from the weather service should have triggered an alarm, he said. That they weren’t was a mistake, he said. Radcliffe said he’s received angry calls this morning. Radcliffe said he’ll meet with other officials later this week to discuss the situation and to ensure there isn’t a repeat. What was reported as a funnel by storm spotters dropped out of the clouds along the south side of Quenemo. The funnel stayed about 12 to 15 feet off the ground, damaging trees and building roofs, he said. The funnel went across southwestern Franklin County and bounced back up into the clouds near Pomona, Radcliffe said.
Monday, May 23, 3 p.m.
