Tornado sirens will be tested throughout the state, including Barton County, next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
This will provide our local law enforcement officers an opportunity to practice routines observed during storm watches, but it’s also an opportunity for all of us to prepare for the coming severe weather season — which starts in the spring and can continue until October or even November. Just as we keep a snow shovel handy at home and maybe in our cars during the winter, it’s a good idea to have a plan in case of tornado, flooding or general storm damage.
Even if you have no desire to become a storm spotter — let alone a daredevil storm chaser — there’s a lot of information and it’s a good idea to learn or review some basics. The National Weather Service is a big help; not only does it track the weather and issue timely alerts, it also provides public service programs. In Great Bend, an NWS meteorologist will present “Storm Fury on the Plains” at 3 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Crest Theater.
It’s free, and so is emergency preparedness information on the Internet, such as the site www.ksready.gov. Here one can find tips on how to make a plan for the entire family in case of emergency, and a checklist of items to have on hand for a disaster kit.
We may argue about climate change, but we can all agree that storms are coming. Be safe.