Storm season is upon us, think safety

If you live in the Plains Mother Nature can wheel on you and turn a season on a dime—from a winter storm to severe weather. It was only a year ago that she dropped over a foot of snow in far western Kansas on April 30 and May 1.

This year, it looks to be traditional spring weather and already tornadoes found their way into northcentral Kansas on May 1.

Severe weather is not an unexpected occurrence if you live in the heartland. Unfortunately I have covered many stories that have dealt with tornadoes, high wind, floods and hail. Sometimes I have had to cover those stories while filing insurance claims myself.

This time of year provides a common sense reminder of what people should do when severe weather looms. The National Weather Service at www.weather.gov offers easy to understand tips.

To summarize some of them, recognize that in living in the heartland means being at risk for a tornado. Sometimes a tornado can form and descend to the ground in a few minutes. Take tornado and severe weather forecasts seriously. Pay attention to local news outlets or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed.

Sign up for notifications if your community sends warnings. People who live in town may have outdoor sirens. Others may depend on local radio stations and media outlets.

Create a communication plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. Pick a safe room in a home, such as a basement or storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Additional information is available at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan. Like a team, practice helps people to improve. Conduct drills regularly and evaluate procedures as minutes can mean the difference in survival.

Severe weather also means staying informed when news of lightning and floods are imminent. Lightning and floods actually kill more people than tornadoes.

NWS officials also say people need to be thinking ahead when they are away from home, too, whether it is at work, the lake, a festival or a sporting event. Posters and information are sometimes readily available but realistically they are often dismissed until a storm is imminent.

If you are in a farm field it is tempting to park a tractor under a tree and yet it can be a deadly place because high winds can topple the tree and it lands on the cab.

In my years I have found that storms and tornadoes are rarely alike. Each has their own personality and yet the devastation and loss of life is a story that is a common one.

Take time to plan ahead for you and your loved ones. It does make a difference.