Severe Weather Awareness Week 2020
Severe Weather Awareness Week will be March 2 through March 6 in Kansas. The Annual Statewide Tornado Safety Drill will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. All residents of Barton County, whether at home, school or work, are encouraged to participate by practicing their tornado safety plans.
Sirens will be activated at 10:00 a.m. on March 3 in communities throughout Barton County for this drill.
For the calendar year 2019, a total of 89 tornadoes occurred in Kansas. This is 27 above the average of 62 tornadoes per year. May was the most active month of 2019 with 56 tornadoes. However, tornadoes are not the only spring weather hazard. Thunderstorms, large hail, lightning, heavy rains, and flooding can all occur in Kansas. Barton County Emergency Management encourages all residents to make plans for the upcoming spring severe weather season.
During times of Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings, the National Weather Service will issue frequent weather statements and short term forecasts, covering the event as it affects your community and area. These statements and forecasts will include updated information on the watch or warning, including the location and movement of the threatening storms, current spotter reports, and communities that are in the storm path.
Make arrangements to receive weather warnings through several means - notifications on your computer, on your mobile phone, by radio and television.
It is important to have a plan of action, know severe weather terms, and be able to recognize severe weather conditions!
Plan to attend "Storm Fury on the Plains" at the Crest Theater, Great Bend, on March 10, 2020 at either 2:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. to learn more about severe weather safety,how to recognize severe weather systems and appropriate weather safety actions.