Released: March 10, 2005

Watch Weather, Heed Warnings To Reduce Risks

MANHATTAN, Kan. – People can’t change the weather, but changing the way you respond to it may save your life, said Mary Knapp, state climatologist, highlighting Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 14-19.

“Being prepared – and responding appropriately – can reduce risks of injury, death or property damage,” said Knapp, who cited a 1955 tornado that killed 80 people in Udall, Kan., for prompting changes in weather monitoring and reporting that now save lives.

Knapp, who is based at Kansas State University Research and Extension, said that most of Udall’s 610 residents were affected by the storm that struck at 10:35 p.m., after most residents had gone to bed.

“Weather information about the storm didn’t reach the Wichita Weather Bureau Office until 11:45 p.m., an hour after the storm struck,” she said. “New and sophisticated technologies, such as Doppler radar, now can pinpoint weather systems. The technology can be life saving, but helpful only if people monitor the weather and heed warnings.”

“In 2004 in Kansas, 122 tornadoes were reported. That’s well above the average – 71 – but only six injuries and no deaths were attributed to the tornadoes, Knapp said.

Thunderstorms can be killers, particularly when winds reach 75 to 100 mph.

“An F-0 tornado will have winds ranging from 35 to 70 mph,” said Knapp, who noted that thunderstorms may have damaging “downbursts” created by winds flowing rapidly down and out of a storm cell.

Lightning from the storms may strike before the storm does, she said.

“Mention flooding and people may think of slow and steady rising waters near a riverbed that allow time for them to move to higher ground. In reality, a cloudburst downstream may send a wall of water your way,” she said.

“The recent tragedy on the turnpike is a good example,” said Knapp, who offered three tips if driving during a thunderstorm as a must:

* Avoid driving in low-lying areas or roads.

* Do not try to drive through water.

* Use extra caution at night when it’s more difficult to see water on or near a roadway.

A flood watch means that you should prepare for rising waters. A flood warning means that you should act immediately – move to higher ground, for example – to protect yourself.

To learn more about how to reduce your risks from spring and summer storms, Knapp offered two Web sites: The National Weather Service at www.crh.noaa.gov/ddc/swaw/torpage.html  and the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov/areyouready/  .

Recent K-State Research and Extension News releases on related topics include:

* “Tips for Choosing a Weather Radio” at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2004/weather_radio061804.htm 

* “Reduce Risks from Storms” at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2004/reduce_risks062104.htm 

* “Unexpected Lightning is a Killer” at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2004/unexpected_lightning052604.htm

* “Lightning Can Kill Before Storm Strikes” at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2003/lightning_kills062003.htm 

* May 25 Tornado Anniversary Marks Change in Preparedness” at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2003/Udall_tornado051903.htm 

More information on personal safety also is available at local K-State Research and Extension offices and on Extension’s Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News