Without any warning sirens in place, many Johnston and Wilson County tornado victims were caught off guard because most were in bed.

But state leaders say because the area where the storm hit is rural, it would be difficult to install sirens that would be heard by everyone.

Emergency officials say a weather alert radio may be your best alternative.

When a weather radio goes off, the National Weather Service says you have about 15 minutes before a tornado or severe weather strikes.

Warnings for Saturday's deadly tornadoes in Johnston and Wilson counties went out 29 minutes before the twisters hit.

"They had time to get out of their home and go to that more secure structure if they had a weather alert radio," according to Derrick Duggins, Johnston County's Emergency Management Coordinator.

Emergency officials say weather alert radios are as important as having smoke detectors in your home.

"As soon as that alert goes out it activates, you know, it wakes you up -- let's you know that there is a potentially life-threatening situation going on," said Paul Whitehurst, the Chief of Kenly's Fire Department.

The National Weather Service says you're two and a half times more likely to die in a nighttime tornado than a daytime one. So emergency officials say spending the $30 to $40 on a weather alert radio is worth the investment.

"Forty dollars is not a lot if you consider it can save your life. Your family's life," said Chief Whitehurst.

"As a matter of fact, that's something my wife and I already talked about. We're gonna get one because it could've just as easily been our home as someone else's," Johnston County resident Todd Richardson said.

After what happened in Kenly, Richardson says he's not willing to take any chances.

The National Weather Service says weather alert radios cost anywhere from $20 to $65.

Emergency officials also recommend buying radios with what's called "S.A.M.E." technology.

That stands for Specific Area Message Encoded, which allows you to only receive alerts in your county.

Officials say you can buy weather alert radios at stores like Radio Shack, Wal-Mart as well as online.