Use Severe Weather Awareness Week to Prepare Your Family for Emergencies

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas. Severe Weather Awareness Week from March 8-12 gives Kansas residents a great time to discuss preparedness for Kansas storms as we enter the spring season. Last year in Kansas there were 103 tornadoes. Fortunately, no one was killed in these, however six persons were injured. In one month (June) there were 46 tornadoes. All 103 tornadoes took place in 24 different days, making several days of tumultuous weather throughout the state.

One of the main things you should focus on with your family this week is making sure you have an emergency plan and evacuation plan established for any number of situations that could occur—tornadoes, fires, other significant occurrences. If you don’t have a plan, now is the time to establish one, and practice it with every member of your family. Make sure your children have enough practice that they know just what to do in a particular instance. Also make sure you have an emergency contact established. Everyone in the family should know the name and phone number of your contact, that way if you get separated, you can call notify your contact that you’re okay, and what your location is, so your family can regroup.

There are a few important traveling safety tips to remember during severe weather.

If you’re travelling in your vehicle and a tornado warning is issued, DO NOT stop under an overpass. It is a common misconception that these will provide you safety, but in fact, you could be injured worse by debris if you stop under the overpass. If you are in a vehicle or mobile home, seek shelter immediately. NEVER try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle. If you are outside, lie flat in a low location, and cover your head with your hands. Flash flooding causes dangerous conditions for travelers. If you are seeking shelter in a ditch or ravine, be aware of your surroundings so you don’t get caught in a flood.

Flash floods kill more people each year than any other weather problem. As little as six inches of fast moving water can sweep you off your feet, and as little as 18 inches of water can sweep your vehicle off the road. Often the water doesn’t look nearly as deep as it really is. You should NEVER drive through flooded roads. If you see a barricade around flood waters, do not go through it. Turn around. If your vehicle is caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground. Remember, “Turn Around. Don’t Drown!”

You should make sure to have an emergency kit in your home, and other kits for each vehicle. These kits include important life-saving items such as water, non-perishable foods, blankets, first aid kits, medications, and other supplies. If you don’t have one, this week is a great time to establish these kits for your family. We do live in Kansas after all, and you never know what weather might strike.

For more preparedness info, go to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management’s site at: www.kansas.gov/kdem/planning/preparedness.shtml.