SUNMAN, Ind. — Sirens flooded the streets of Lawrenceburg Tuesday as Indiana held a statewide tornado drill.
"You always have to be prepared and always need to be prepared," said Jason Sullivan, the director of Dearborn County Emergency Management.
Indiana held the drill Tuesday to test the state's alert systems. Ohio will do the same Wednesday. Sullivan said the drills are crucial to make sure their alert system is working.
"So if there's an issue with it today, I can go in and see what the issue is and have it corrected," he said.
Still, the alert system has limitations, according to Sullivan. That's why he recommends other avenues, like having NOAA weather radio or a smart 911 system to receive alerts to cellphones.
The Kruse family in Sunman realized the importance of those alert systems a few years ago when a tornado came through the area and knocked down their barn.
"I just walked outside and looked over at the barn, and there was a big hole in the roof," John Kruse said. "It was gone."
Kruse said there were no sirens or alerts when the tornado touched down on his farm.
"I think the importance of tornado warnings is great," Kruse said. "I think that's really important, because at leas then you know what can happen."
