State prepares for looming tornado season

Forces of nature

The Kansas Museum of History will present the exhibit Forces of Nature in its Special Exhibits Gallery. The exhibit runs March 21 to Jan. 4, 2009, at the museum, 6425 SW Sixth Ave., Topeka.

The exhibit opening is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21.

There will be drawings for giveaways and free admission for those who bring weather photos for donation to the museum.

The museum will also host a National Weather Service-sponsored storm spotter training program March 26. The free program is open to the public. The Forces of Nature exhibit will be open at no charge from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the storm spotter training will begin at 7 p.m.

For museum hours and more information, visit: kshs.org.

Public agencies across the state this week are sounding the alarm on the impending tornado season.

Kansas University and some Lawrence schools will participate in a statewide tornado drill early this afternoon. The drill is part of a statewide campaign to spread the message about how to prepare and be safe during severe weather.

“Everybody needs to know what their potential dangers are – such as flooding, tornadoes, heat waves and thunderstorms, and how they can be prepared,” said Teri Smith, director of Douglas County Emergency Management.

Lawrence public schools will have school tornado drills either today or at other times during the week, said Rick Gammill, the district’s director of special operations, safety and transportation. Gammill said students are taking statewide tests at some schools and the tornado drills will be scheduled around them.

Smith reminds area residents about the 30/30 lightning rule. The rule says to get to shelter if the time between a lightning flash and thunder is 30 seconds or less. Once inside, people should not head out again until 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.

The state division of emergency management has tips available on the Web at www.ksready.gov. The agency suggests to watch oncoming storms for large hail, the telltale dark-greenish tint of the storm or the loud, roaring noise of rushing wind. All are signs of a tornado.

Sharon Watson, director of public affairs for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, said it’s important to have a safe spot, such as the lowest place in a home, picked out ahead of time. And for rural residents, having a NOAA Weather Radio to receive weather alerts is key, Watson said.

“That’s the one thing that may save your life,” she said.