Severe Weather Awareness Week

Severe Weather WeekMarch 6th to March 10th, 2023

Kansas experiences a wide variety of summertime severe weather, including tornados, damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding. Residents are encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans. Each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week will emphasize a different topic.

Day 1 - Preparedness "Preparing for an event starts now" - Monday, March 6th

  • Ask yourself what you would do in the case of severe weather. Do you have multiple ways to receive alerts? Do you have adequate shelter and supplies?
  • Do you have a plan of where you will shelter during a severe weather event?

Day 2 - Tornado Safety - Tuesday, March 7th 

  • The National Weather Service in Wichita will conduct a Tornado Drill at 10 am on Tuesday, March 7th.
    • Everyone is encouraged to participate in the drill by practicing seeking secure, safe shelter from a tornado. This test will be broadcast over NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio and many local television and radio stations.
    • We encourage everyone to abide by local health and safety guidelines related to Covid-19 during the tornado test. If that is not possible then simply sheltering in place or discussing where you'd go and what you'd do are other options. 
  • Tornadoes pack some of the fastest winds on Earth and are deadly to anyone caught in their path. Kansas averages 95 tornadoes per year but has seen up to 187, with the peak tornado season running from April to June.

Day 3 - Lightning Safety "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!" - Wednesday, March 8th

  • Every lightning strike can be deadly. Lightning strikes the U.S. 25 Million times and kills 47 people on average each year. Many of these deaths occur outdoors and are preventable.

Day 4 - Hail/Wind Safety - Thursday, March 9th

  • Damaging winds and large hail are two other weapons in a storm's arsenal. Hail can exceed softball size and straight-line winds can down trees and destroy property. They often garner less respect than tornadoes but are just as deadly.

Day 5 - Flood Safety "Turn Around, Don't Drown" - Friday, March 10th

  • Floods kill more people in the United States each year than any other thunderstorm-related hazard. Many flood deaths are the result of people driving into flooded roads.