As Door County officials work to sign residents up for the new Door County Ready emergency alert system, Emergency Management Director Jeb Saelens cannot help but think what could have been if the technology had existed 26 years ago this week. It was August 23, 1998, when an F3 Tornado carved a five-mile–long, half-mile-wide path through Egg Harbor, starting just south of Frank Murphy County Park and making its way inland. According to the National Weather Service, estimated wind speeds hit 160 miles per hour. Only two people were injured, but the tornado’s 15-minute journey toward Jacksonport caused nearly $7 million in damage. Saelens says sometimes people think they are isolated from such events because they live on a peninsula, but earlier this month, there were warnings that conditions could have allowed a water spot to form. With many communities like Sturgeon Bay opting not to use tornado sirens any longer, Saelens says the Door County Ready emergency alert system is the best way to keep you informed.

You can sign up for the Door County Ready system by clicking on this link or by calling Door County Emergency Management to have them walk you through the steps.