Tornadoes are a natural part of life in Kansas, and the state is home to one of the most active areas for them. As a result, it’s important to know when they happen so you can protect yourself and your property.
Historically, tornadoes have mainly occurred during the months of April through June. But they can occur throughout the year, so it’s important to know when they happen in your area if you live there or plan to visit.
The best way to prepare for a tornado is to have a full tornado preparedness plan ready before a storm hits your area. This includes identifying safe shelter areas within your home or workplace so you’ll know where to go when the time comes.
When a tornado warning is issued, you should seek shelter immediately. This means you should move to a safe place, such as a basement, if there is one available and away from windows.
You can get a tornado warning in a number of ways, including by phone, text message, email, or K-State Alerts, as well as through NOAA weather radio and television. The National Weather Service also has outdoor alarms that sound when severe weather is expected.
A tornado is graded by the Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF scale, which assigns a number value based on estimated wind speed. The higher the rating, the more damage it’s able to cause.
