(Cushing, Okla) – A storm siren malfunction caused a bit of panic for some Cushing residents who heard the storm warning sirens sound about 5:00 AM.
But it was a false alarm, a malfunction that is being attributed to a malfunction. Cushing Emergency Management Director Bob Noltsenmeyer says the weather conditions at the time may have contributed to the malfunction.
Noltensmeyer says that a bit of fog, and high relative humidity may have contributed to a “skip” with a pager or electronic device sending the signal that would set off the sirens.
A “skip” is essentially a stray radio signal that reaches outside it’s intended coverage area.
The Cushing storm warning sirens are controlled by radio frequencies. Noltensmeyer says that four different sirens sounded this morning, all along State Highway 33 (Main Street) in Cushing.
The Cushing Police Department and KUSH Radio received numerous calls from residents who wondered if there was bad weather in the area, (there wasn’t) or something else going on.
Noltensmeyer says he’ll continue to investigate the cause of the problem.
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