During an interview with a reporter from WAOW 9, Sheriff Scott Haines informed her that he takes full responsibility as Sheriff for the weather sirens not being activated in Unity, and he apologized to the citizens affected by the severe weather.

Haines said, “I have no excuses for them not being activated; going forward we are looking at and reviewing our current protocols for severe weather and we will be conducting a yearly review in the future during April Tornado Awareness Week”

After the severe weather passed, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the 21st of May, the Clark County Dispatch Center received 83 calls for service. In comparison to Monday, May 27, 2024, the Clark County Dispatch Center took 51 calls for service in a 24 hour period. Haines said, “It was busy and we ended up calling in two more dispatchers to assist with all the calls for service. Our Communications Deputies do a great job, day and night, 24/7 365 days a year, under very stressful conditions. It is an honor working with them and I am thankful for all they do.”

According to the protocol, the National Weather Service (NWS) in LaCrosse notifies the Sheriff’s Department of severe weather alerts.

If a Severe Weather Watch is received, on duty deputies in the affected area are notified, as well as Emergency Management Director Jason Thornton, and area ham radio operators.

If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is received, in addition to those listed above, area fire departments in the path of the storm are notified, all on duty officers are updated, and area storm shelters in the affected area are opened. Voice messaging sirens in Russell Park and at Rock Dam might also be activated.

For a tornado warning, the same procedure is followed as for a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. In addition, tornado sirens will be activated in the affected area, as will the Court House Fire Alarm and Telephone paging system.

For a Flood/Flash Flood Warning, on duty deputies in the affected area will be notified as will Emergency Management Director Jason Thornton, ham radio operators, and fire departments in the affected area.

For Winter Weather Warnings and Advisories, all on duty deputies in the affected area are notified along with the Emergency Management Director.