The mayor of Virden says the new Alert Ready notification system played a key role in advising residents that Monday's massive tornado was heading towards town.

Jeff McConnell added he definitely noticed the warnings, which are broadcast over radio and television.

“When you know weather's coming, pay attention,” he said. “I was impressed with it. The first I heard I'd been in a restaurant here in town...The first notice was shortly after 8:00pm...as the evening progressed it became more and more prevalent.”

McConnell notes that he was also tracking the storm on his smartphone, which many people were doing. He says thankfully the cell service was not interrupted, adding that the only sure way to hear the warnings is through a battery-powered radio.

“I think we'll look at them [the warnings]," said McConnell. "I think we'll continue to evaluate them and if we've got recommendations we'll share them, but at this moment I think it was good."

Monday's tornado narrowly missed Virden, passing a couple of miles east of the town. However, there was damage caused around town due to the strong winds that accompanied the storm.

Residents continue the clean-up effort from a Monday's severe storm - Photos courtesy Jeff McConnell

Winds were strong enough to flip over this baseball dugout