Few things in the world are as frightening as the threat of a tornado. They seem to arrive when we least expect them and often leave an unbelievable path of destruction — and sometimes death — in their paths.

Just ask a few of the Natchez residents who reported hearing the ominous “freight train” sound coming from the night sky on Dec. 9.

The devastation left in the wake of the twister — which was relatively weak as tornadoes go — is still evident along many streets and in many neighborhoods affected.

Fortunately, no lives were lost in the December 2008 twister.

And Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens hopes through early warning systems that no life is ever lost in the county due to a tornado or other disaster.

That’s why Owens is researching a system that may bring some new technology to bear on the old problem.

The proposed warning system is an “opt-in” telephone alert system, meaning that residents would sign up to receive calls to their home and cell phones when a weather warning or other emergency notice occurs.

Owens is still researching the system, and the county must ultimately decide if the benefits outweigh the costs.

No such warning system is perfect. For example, the proposed system probably would not have been activated in the December storm, as the National Weather Service didn’t issue a tornado warning.

But if the system can be shown to be effective, the system may be invaluable in protecting life and property when disaster strikes.