With spring approaching, Great Bend will participate in the statewide tornado drill on Tuesday. That will also be the date for the annual presentations of “Storm Fury on the Plains,” a weather and storm safety program.
The statewide tornado drill will be conducted around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officials note that the weather needs to cooperate to have the drill and changes will be announced that morning. A tornado warning will be issued by the National Weather Service in Wichita for its 26-county warning area, which includes Barton County.
Families and businesses are encouraged to participate by testing their safety plans.
Barton County Emergency Management will host the 2015 “Storm Fury on the Plains” on Tuesday at 3 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. at the Crest Theater. The presentation typically lasts 1½ to 2 hours. It is intended for storm spotters and for the general public.
Attendees are taught the basics of thunderstorm development, storm structure, the features to look for, and where to find them. What, when and how to report information as well as basic severe weather safety are also covered. The session is a multi-media presentation, which includes detailed video.
No prior experience is required, and there is no registration necessary to attend.