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Sirens, rain cause alarm Monday
By Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
An emergency siren could be heard throughout the south end of Willcox around 4:30 p.m. Monday causing alarm that it might be a tornado, as a strong thunderstorm had hit Willcox.
However, that was not the case.
"After the asbestos was removed from the old Police Department building, there were large holes in the roof. Public Works had not shut off the power to the building, and the rain caused an electric short and the siren went off," said Police Chief Jake Weaver.
"There were 87 9-1-1 calls within 15 minutes," Weaver said. "We need to remind people not to call 9-1-1 for information. We had to call in an additional dispatcher (for a total of three) to handle the calls."
The police department's phone line for information is 384-4673.
Willcox Asst. Fire Chief Patti Ackerson Rodriguez said they were able to shut off the breaker to the old building to turn off the sirens after about 10 to 15 minutes.
The thunderstorm caused white-out conditions and flooding.
"The combination of the sirens and the rain, which caused hydroplaning and stranded vehicles in the streets, made for an interesting afternoon," Weaver said.
However, that was not the case.
"After the asbestos was removed from the old Police Department building, there were large holes in the roof. Public Works had not shut off the power to the building, and the rain caused an electric short and the siren went off," said Police Chief Jake Weaver.
"There were 87 9-1-1 calls within 15 minutes," Weaver said. "We need to remind people not to call 9-1-1 for information. We had to call in an additional dispatcher (for a total of three) to handle the calls."
The police department's phone line for information is 384-4673.
Willcox Asst. Fire Chief Patti Ackerson Rodriguez said they were able to shut off the breaker to the old building to turn off the sirens after about 10 to 15 minutes.
The thunderstorm caused white-out conditions and flooding.
"The combination of the sirens and the rain, which caused hydroplaning and stranded vehicles in the streets, made for an interesting afternoon," Weaver said.
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