NORMAN, Okla., June 17 (UPI) -- Officials in Norman, Okla., say they didn't have time to sound a warning as a fast-moving tornado whipped through a neighborhood last week.
Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey told The Oklahoman that warning sirens went off in the Summit Lake area Friday night about 15 minutes after the twister had uprooted trees and damaged several houses.
Bailey said that although officials and spotters were monitoring the storm, the tornado simply developed too quickly for an advance warning.
The newspaper said Wednesday that radar apparently showed that a tornado was developing, but then appeared to be fizzling out briefly before it suddenly strengthened into a bona fide funnel.
Emergency Management Coordinator David Grizzle said the sirens went off five minutes after the tornado formed. By that time, he said, the twister had already passed through Summit Lake and was bearing down on Highland Hills.
"When you say the tornado had passed when the sirens were sounded, well, it depends on where you were," said Grizzle.
