LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) Facing a tornado in your car on the open road with no buildings much less basements for miles is a terrifying thought.
For travelers on the Kansas Turnpike, at least, there are underground storm shelters at most toll plazas statewide.
Kansas ushered in tornado season with its first twisters of 2018 last week, which were confirmed in multiple parts of the state.
The turnpikes bare-bones bunkers may be Spartan, but they offer safe sheltering spots where options are otherwise few and far between.
The turnpike emphasizes that the shelters are primarily for its employees, but also open to travelers. Because space is limited, they shouldnt be considered a viable option for local residents.
These shelters were originally built and put in place for employees, turnpike spokeswoman Rachel Bell told the Lawrence Journal-World. Over the years we have just had customers take shelter with our employees. We certainly understand the dangers of Kansas weather. … If youre on the road last minute, and theres no other option, this is something you can do.
At service areas, the convenience store buildings have designated shelters, some below and some above ground.
But at toll plazas with only booths, if they have a tornado shelter its going to look like a metal trap door into a concrete box mostly submerged in the ground.
One of the few toll plazas that doesnt have a shelter is the Tonganoxie/Eudora exit at milepost 212. A more recently constructed toll plaza, it has only automated gates with no toll workers employed there. Bell said thats why theres no shelter.
If you do find yourself on the road in tornado weather, the National Weather Service encourages listening to local news or an NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
