Hope tornado siren knocked out by lightning

The town of Hope is without a tornado siren. That’s after the tower was hit by lightning.

Town Manager J.T. Doane said the town was contacted by Bartholomew COunty emergency officials after a test revealed the siren was not working. Repair crews were called in and said the electronics for the siren had been fried by the lightning strike. The repair cost is estimated at about $16,000 and the town is working with its insurer to cover the cost of the repairs.

In the meantime, if there is a tornado watch or warning, the town’s police department and volunteer firefighters will patrol the streets with sirens activated and use their vehicle’s PA system to warn residents.

Doane briefed the Town Council members on the situation at last night’s Hope Town Council meeting.