Home weather alert systems have recently helped several senior U.S. citizens escape violent tornados unscathed. The free service provided by Vivint to home automation customers in tornado-prone states, helped one elderly couple Brian and Angela Reheisse residing in De Soto, Missouri buy extra time to assist a neighbor’s son, who was home alone during the first storm. According to Vivint, the system beat the city sirens by approximately 10 minutes, and all three were able to reach safe shelter.
Home weather alert systems have recently helped several senior U.S. citizens escape violent tornados unscathed. The free service provided by Vivint to home automation customers in tornado-prone states, helped one elderly couple Brian and Angela Reheisse, residents of De Soto, Missouri buy extra time to assist a neighbor's son, who was home alone during the first storm. According to Vivint, the system beat the city sirens by approximately 10 minutes, and all three reached safe shelter.
“We had enough time to tuck him under our wing and take care of him as if he were our own,” said Brian Reheisse. “It warms my heart that we were able to provide help to someone in need.”
Last tornado season, three tornadoes tore through De Soto in one month. On May 22, 2011 at least 158 people were killed and another 1,100 were injured in the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Edith Lawellin, a 79-year-old widow, who lived directly in the path of the tornado, was awakened by her system alert nearly five minutes before her neighborhood sirens sounded. This alert allowed her just enough time to seek shelter in a reinforced closet. Edith was safe even as the rest of her home was literally torn apart.
“I was sitting in my recliner, reading the newspaper, and had fallen asleep when the beeping started and woke me up,” said Lawellin. At the sound of the alarm, she quickly grabbed a chair and pillow and locked herself in the closet for what seemed like an hour. Eventually, a first responder found her and got her out of the rubble.
Vivint home automation users can receive early tornado warnings directly to their touchscreen panel from the National Weather Service. A series of three loud beeps sound inside the home and a detailed warning message appears on the wall-mounted panel, giving users extra time to take cover. In addition, customers can also receive tornado alerts on their mobile devices.
"Every second counts when it comes to seeking shelter from a tornado,” said Jim Nye, VP, Product Management, Vivint. The free service is available in states including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.