TINGLEY, Iowa — [KCCI] – The tornado sirens in the Ringgold County town of Tingley did not sound off Friday night before a powerful tornado swept through the town of about 130 people. Ringgold County Emergency Management coordinator Melissia Stark tells KCCI the town lost power just before 7 p.m. that day. She said the sirens were triggered three separate times. But they never sounded off. Stark said the sirens were working when they were tested just last month.

Power has been restored in the town, but the siren had not been fixed as of Tuesday afternoon. Mayor Larry Jarred said he hopes to have it up and running again, soon. Jarred said the town is also going to build a concrete storm shelter. Tingley currently doesn’t have one. People in town said they were surprised they didn’t hear the sirens. One resident said he is excited about the potential of having a storm shelter. (Photos from the TingleyIowa Facebook page)

Tingley Community Bldg.

Tingley Presbyterian Church

Ringgold County Emergency Management says it’s important to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. They recommend people sign up for Alert Iowa and pay attention to updates from the National Weather Service.