Franklin: Sirens during tornado watch were accident

Apr. 2—Shortly after 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, a tornado watch — meaning tornadoes are possible but not necessarily imminent — was issued for an area including Pulaski County.

Almost immediately thereafter, tornado sirens started going off in Somerset, indicating a more immediate tornado threat.

However, that threat did not exist.

Pulaski County Emergency Management Director Don Franklin confirmed for the Commonwealth Journal after contacting 911 Dispatch that the siren activation was an accident.

"We are under a tornado watch, not a warning," said Franklin on Tuesday afternoon. "(The sirens) caught me by surprise too."

The tornado watch was issued until 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Surrounding counties including Laurel, McCreary, and Wayne Counties were also under the watch.