Cut Knife student develops mobile tornado siren to improve Prairie storm warnings by Jenny Hagan, April 21, 2026, WestCentralOnline.com
A Grade 12 student from the Cut Knife area is turning a passion for severe weather into a community safety project by developing a mobile tornado siren designed to warn residents during dangerous storms.
Aaron Rutley, an 18 year old and a self-described storm chaser, said the idea came after repeated experiences last summer when tornado warnings did not always appear on his cellphone while he was tracking storms in Saskatchewan.
Rutley said that raised concerns about how people in rural areas or small communities would be alerted if a tornado or other severe weather event threatened their area.
“I realized, what happens if this happens in Saskatchewan?” Rutley said. “If the warnings don’t go out, then what happens?”
Siren mounted on personal truck
Instead of relying on permanent siren systems common in parts of the United States, Rutley said he mounted a siren on his personal work truck.
He said the vehicle could be driven ahead of approaching storms to warn farms, hamlets or communities, while also helping confirm severe weather on the ground.
Rutley said the project has been self-funded, though Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Youth Preparedness Council members have assisted with procedures, planning and resources.
Strong community support online
Rutley said he was surprised by the support the project received after he posted about it on social media.
Several residents encouraged him to also use printed notices so seniors and others not active on Facebook would still know about the planned siren test.
Rutley said he would do so and later and the feedback helped highlight the need to reach residents beyond social media.
Test planned later this month
Rutley said officials connected to the preparedness council indicated April 28, 29 or 30 would be suitable dates for a public test, with discussions expected to continue with the Town of Cut Knife.
He said the siren uses a distinctive high-low tone and would be activated for tornadoes, baseball-sized hail, wind gusts of 130 km/h or greater, or any critical weather alert issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“If you hear the siren, just go to shelter,” Rutley said. “Get in the basement.”
Lifelong interest in storms
Rutley said he has followed severe weather since childhood and began storm chasing after getting his driver’s licence in 2024. He said he hopes the project could eventually expand to other communities, noting there has already been interest from North Battleford.
Severe Weather Is Dangerous
Tornadoes, baseball-sized hail, 130 km/h winds and lightning can injure or kill people, damage homes, flip vehicles and trap travellers. Warnings should always be treated seriously. A mobile tornado siren could help notify some residents, but it also poses risks.