Tornado Siren Fails Amid Storm Damage Reports in Williamson County

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — A tornado siren at the College Grove Community Center is out of service, according to the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency (WCEMA). The agency announced on April 2, 2025, that the siren will not operate for the foreseeable future, raising concerns for community safety during storm warnings.

WCEMA emphasized the critical nature of outdoor tornado sirens, stating, “During storm warnings, while residents in the area may hear the siren from indoors, the outdoor sirens are used to warn those who are outside and may not have another method of receiving warnings.”

In light of this issue, the agency is urging residents to establish multiple alert systems to prepare for severe weather. Community members are encouraged to sign up for local emergency alert texts to stay informed. More details about the malfunctioning siren can be found on the WCEMA website.

The announcement comes on the heels of severe weather that affected Middle Tennessee. The National Weather Service reported that three tornadoes touched down overnight from Sunday into Monday, causing significant damage across the region.

The tornadoes registered as follows: An EF-2 tornado was confirmed in Hampshire, Maury County, reaching wind speeds of 120 mph, spanning 400 yards in width and covering 5.10 miles. An EF-1 tornado struck Mt. Pleasant, also in Maury County, with winds of 100 mph, measuring 300 yards wide and stretching 4.10 miles long. Meanwhile, an EF-0 tornado affected the Fairview area, impacting both Hickman and Williamson Counties, with winds of 85 mph, 150 yards wide, and a path of 2.20 miles. Another EF-1 tornado was reported near McEwen, Humphreys County, with 95 mph winds, 150 yards wide, and 1.7 miles of damage.

The Nashville office of the National Weather Service conducted damage surveys to assess the impact of these storms, which kept the viewing area under a tornado watch until 3 a.m. Monday, followed by hours of tornado warnings.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of these tornadoes, WCEMA’s alert systems will play a vital role in ensuring residents stay informed about future weather threats.