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Apr 28, 2007 3:04 pm US/Central
Teenager Raises Money for Storm Siren
by Bridgette Bornstein
(WCCO)
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Only about 100 people live in Outing the year round. But during the summer storm season, the place is packed with 2,000 to 3,000 people. (File)
CBS
Minnesota communities and citizens are taking action after an I-Team report. Thursday night WCCO-TV looked into the state of tornado sirens.
The I-Team found many of them are so outdated they don't sound when the power's out. And only about 20 percent of Minnesota counties keep track if sirens actually work during tests.
Following the report, the state told the I-Team it presented a good opportunity for counties and cities to make sure they're protecting people.
One Minnesota teenager is already doing her part. In the scenic Northern Minnesota town of Outing, you'll hear the crisp chirps of black birds and the wail of the loon, but you'll never hear a storm siren because the town doesn't have one that works.
"The idea is to just get a storm siren for Outing, just to warn people when bad weather is coming. My sister was afraid of storms when she was little and my dad said, don't just sit there, do something about it," said 13-year-old Jamie Prax of Outing.
Prax and her friends sold lemonade, hot chocolate and glow sticks. All the money goes into a special account for the siren. Prax showed us the bank account statement with a balance of $418.
Only about 100 people live in Outing the year round. But during the summer storm season, the place is packed with 2,000 to 3,000 people.
At the height of the tourism season in 1969, a tornado struck Outing and 12people died. That's when the town got a civil defense siren. But it's outdated and the town board chair says it can't be fixed.
"I haven't heard it tested in years and years and years," said Town Board Chair Michelle Kemper.
Kemper said they talked about getting a new siren a few years ago.
"The idea kind of fizzled after we found out that the price of the towers can go anywhere from $20,000 to $70,000" said Kemper.
But the state said homeland security grant money could help.
"For a young girl like that to go out and decide she's going to raise money to help protect her community, it's a wonderful story," said Minnesota Homeland Security Spokesperson Doug Neville.
A story Prax plans to see through to the end. "I'm not giving up," she said.
Prax said she'll go before the Chamber of Commerce next week to ask for a donation. She was researching other organizations that might help also.
She said some former town leaders told her to give up. They wanted her to urge people to get weather radios instead. Prax said that's great for the indoors, but not so great if you're out on a Minnesota lake.
