The National Weather Service, the Kansas Emergency Management Assn. and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management have announced “Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Week” from March 8 – 12.
The annual statewide tornado drill will take place during the day, Tuesday, March 9, at 1:30 p.m with a backup date of Thursday, March 11 in the event of inclement weather. Test tornado warnings will be issued via NOAA Weather Radio and the EAS system for statewide distribution.
While 2009 was not a record breaking year for tornadoes in Kansas (there were 103 recorded), numerous other “High Impact Weather Events” did occur causing millions of dollars in damage to homes, property and infrastructures. These events included numerous severe thunderstorms with flooding and flash flooding, a Derecho (widespread damaging wind event) and a Blizzard.
“Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Week” is the ideal time for family to practice their safety plan for home, school, work or other locations. A plan should be developed for times they are participating in outdoor rec activities, sporting events or just when working outdoors. Every person should know where to go when severe weather strikes – no matter the location.
This is also the perfect time to replace the back-up batteries in your NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio. All Kansans are encouraged to purchase a weather radio and have it programmed to their county to ensure receipt of severe weather warnings and alerts from the National Weather Service.
Spotter and severe weather safety programs will also be held in each county. The program for Stafford County will be held on Monday, April 5 at 7 p.m. in the Court House Annex at 209 N. Broadway, St. John. The National Weather Service provides storm identification/spotter training sessions each spring. All sessions are conducted in cooperation with county Emergency Management agencies across the area.
All training is free, is open for anyone to attend, and is not designed for just storm spotters. Anyone with the desire to learn how to identify severe weather and to learn about the dangers from these storms is encouraged to attend and the program will last just open an hour. For updates or to obtain session dates for other counties, please visit: : http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ddc/?n=SpotterTalks
A complete packet of severe weather information including safety precautions to be taken can also be obtained online at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/ict/pdf/SWAW2010.pdf
St. John, Kan. —
