As the KMAN Severe Weather Center was broadcasting warnings over the air Saturday evening, the Outdoor Warning Sirens sounded at 9:55 p.m. in Riley County.
While there was no threat of tornado, many residents interpreted the sirens as such. KMAN and other Manhattan Broadcasting Company staff quickly reviewed the latest alerts from the National Weather Service in Topeka, and confirmed there continued to be no threat of tornadoes.
Programming was again interrupted to reassure the listening area that there was no tornado, however there continued to be a threat of 70mph or higher winds. Later staff learned the Emergency Management Department sounded the sirens to warn people who were outdoors to take shelter because of damaging wind.
KMAN News has reached out to Riley County for clarification on the policy regarding sounding the Outdoor Sirens, and will provide an update early this week.
