Severe weather season usually brings fear and anxiety. WHEN REPORTING severe weather conditions, people should call 1-800-367-5736 or Tweet at #KSWX. SEVERE weather awareness week is March 3-9. On March 5 at 1:30 p.m. tornado safety drills will be conducted.
Local emergency crews say knowledge about how to be better prepared can help allay those fears.
Representatives of the Allen County Emergency Management, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the National Weather Service paired together Tuesday night for “Storm Fury on the Plains,” at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
The program, taught several years in a row, drew about 70 people.
Chance Hayes, warning coordinator meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wichita, said weather spotters “are our eyes in the field.”
A weather spotter is a community member who during severe weather reports to local or national weather services information about current conditions.
Hayes said that the majority of people get their weather information from “talking heads on television” and those “eyes in the field” help give an accurate and timely weather report.
“Teamwork plus communications equals trust,” Hayes said. “It helps convince the public the danger is real.”
Reporters should always answer the three Ws of weather: What — is it hailing? Are there high winds? When — was it five minutes ago? Is it going on currently? And where — what is your location?
Hayes said when describing a storm or tornado describe the way it looks, not how strong it is.
“There is no way for you to know how strong it really is,” Hayes said.
A tornado, for example, can either be a rope shape, a wedge shape or a regular tornado. If the tornado is long and thin it’s probably a rope tornado. If the top of the tornado is roughly the same width as the bottom then it is a wedge tornado. If it is a cone shape then that would be a regular tornado.
Another key element is research. The more a person knows about a potential storm the better.
Hayes said if a person sees a dark heavy storm in the distance, stop on the side of the road and wait it out.
“You alter driving plans during winter weather, why not during a severe thunderstorm,” he said.
Storm spotters need to regularly attend informational sessions and do their homework about different cloud and storm types. Know the difference between wall cloud, shelf cloud, microburst and just heavy rain, he said.
If the point comes where taking shelter is needed have the proper kits and plans ready.
Hayes said one of the main injuries from a natural disaster is during the aftermath when people forgot to pack shoes with them and get their feet sliced up.
Some of the other must-have items in an emergency kit is a first aid kit, flashlight and extra batteries, three days’ supply of food and water, cash and coins, whistle and blankets. More detailed lists can be found on www.weather.gov/wichita.
If ever having to take shelter from a tornado remember to DUCK: Down to the lowest level, under something sturdy, cover your head and keep in the shelter until the storm has passed.
For more information visit www.weather.gov/wichita or contact the Allen County Emergency Management (620) 365-1477.
Knowledge trumps fear during severe weather
