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Author: David Hogg

Hail and Wind Safety

Posted on by David Hogg

As we continue our journey through Severe Weather Preparedness Week, we can now turn our attention to two of the more common hazards associated with severe thunderstorms: hail and wind.

Perhaps it would first be appropriate to define just exactly what a severe thunderstorm actually is. Much like tornadoes, the National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm watches and warning. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms and that conditions should be monitored. Watches are issued over a wide area and usually before storms form.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning means that a thunderstorm has formed that meets the criteria for being defined as severe. This means that the storm contains either damaging wind gusts in excess of 58 miles per hour or hail at least one inch in diameter or both. A warning is typically issued over a relatively small geographic area in advance of an existing storm. If a warning is issued, it is best to seek shelter in a sturdy structure, away from windows. It is also important to keep track of changing weather conditions, as severe thunderstorms can sometimes produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning.

While there are minimum criteria for a thunderstorm to be considered severe, storms can produce much more extreme winds that result in widespread damage and the potential for injury. Storms can sometimes produce damaging straight-line winds in excess of 100 mph and affect much larger areas than a single tornado. A long-lasting severe weather and damaging wind event called a derecho impacted much of Iowa and the Midwest last August, resulting in billions of dollars in damage and five fatalities.

Similar to wind, the minimum criteria for hail to be considered severe belies the high-end damage that can occur from larger hailstones. The largest hailstone ever recorded in the United States was almost 8 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 pounds. Hailstones as big as baseballs — 2.75 inches in diameter — can fall at more than 100 mph. These types of storms can be both incredibly destructive and deadly.

With such a wide range of hazards possible within a severe thunderstorm it is important to pay attention to the specific of a warning when it is issued. Text with a severe thunderstorm warning will highlight the hazards, including an estimation of wind speed and maximum hail size that meteorologists expect with the storm. While we may be used to severe thunderstorms here in Kansas, it is imperative to stay aware of changing weather conditions and to be ready to seek shelter when a warning is issued.

Lightning Safety

Posted on by David Hogg

Though the tendency can be to focus on tornadoes when preparing for thunderstorms, other hazards can pose just as dangerous of a threat. One of the easiest hazards to overlook is that of lightning.

Each year, lightning strikes the United States, on average, about 20 to 25 million times. While the majority of those strikes don’t cause any direct damage or long lasting consequences, the potential exists within each lightning strike to cause great harm or even death. An average of approximately 30 people die each year in the United States from lightning strikes.

The majority of lightning deaths and injuries come from people engaged in outdoor activities — things like swimming, golfing, fishing, or hiking. It is important to remember that there is no safe space outside from lightning — the only secure location is an enclosed building or in a vehicle.

It may not always be easy to tell how close you are to a storm and if you are within the threat area for a potential lightning strike. A good rule of thumb is that, if you can hear thunder, then you are close enough to a storm to be impacted by lightning, and you should seek appropriate shelter. Sometimes, however, especially as storms are first forming, you may not have any advance warning before lightning impacts your area. If skies appear threatening, it may be safest to pro-actively seek shelter.

If someone has been struck by lightning, they need immediate medical attention. Call 911 for rapid medical response. If it is safe to do so, move the victim to a safe location inside, away from the threat of another lightning strike or other hazards. Lightning often causes the heart to stop, so administering CPR may be needed until help arrives.

More information about lightning safety is provided by the National Weather Service.

Tornado Preparedness and Safety Tips

Posted on by David Hogg

As we think about storm season in Kansas, tornadoes are clearly the most dramatic example. Though they are not the only threat from severe weather, tornadoes can represent the most extreme type of hazard. Therefore, it pays to think through our collective preparedness before tornadoes threaten.

Know your forecast

It is incredibly important, particularly during severe weather season, to keep track of the forecast. While most of us have instant access to weather information at the tip of our fingers, through our smart phone, it pays to keep track of forecasts from official sources. A couple of places to find great information include:

  • The Storm Prediction Center provides daily outlooks highlighting potential severe weather chances nationwide. These outlooks categorize severe thunderstorm chances into five different categories as seen in the graphic below. The SPC also coordinates and issues all watches across the nation.

  • National Weather Service Forecast Offices. The National Weather Service has local forecast offices all across the United States. Kansas is served by a number of forecast offices, with Manhattan falling under the purview of the Topeka forecast office, Salina under the Wichita forecast office, and Olathe under the Kansas City forecast office. These offices provide regular forecasts for all locations in their county warning areas and, most importantly, are the offices that issue warning.

Know your terms

Even if you have lived in Kansas all of your life, it is important to review the terminology used during a severe weather event.

  • A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms, including the possibility of tornadoes. Tornado Watches are typically issued over a large area and can be issued several hours before thunderstorms even form. A Tornado Watch should prompt you to pay very close attention to the weather during a particular time period.
  • A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has either been spotted or the development of a tornado appears imminent either through reports from storm spotters or based on evidence from Doppler radar. A Tornado Warning is typically issued for a specific storm and therefore covers a relatively small area and shorter time frame. Tornado Warnings provide short-term notice to individuals in the direct path of a storm. A Tornado Warning should prompt you to take immediate action to seek shelter.

Know your plan

While it can sometimes seem like tornado warnings come and go without anything bad happening, it only takes one storm to drastically alter a community and put lives at risk. Having a plan before a storm appear, or a tornado warning is issued, is essential to protect your life.

  • Warning reception: How will you receive tornado warning information? Because of our current technology, it is easier than ever to receive tornado warning information directly. This can come in the form of a call, text, or email via K-State Alerts, through the wireless emergency alert system activated on most smart phones, via NOAA weather radio, and through traditional media like TV or radio. Outdoor warning sirens — sometime called storm sirens — also play an important role for individuals who may be outside when a storm approaches. Never rely solely on storm sirens to be your primary or only source of warning information, as they may be hard to hear indoors or at night, and they do not provide any additional context to the threat.
  • Shelter location: Where will you go when a warning is issued? The general rule of thumb for tornado sheltering is to get to the lowest level possible and to put as many walls between you and the outside as you can. If your building has a basement, that will be the safest location. If there is no basement, finding an interior room with no windows typically provides the safest location.

  • Shelter supplies: What additional supplies can make a difference when sheltering from a tornado? A few simple items can make a big difference in keeping you safe when sheltering from a tornado. Ideally, you want to try to protect your head, eyes, body and feet. This means putting on a bike helmet or hard hat, safety goggles or lab glasses, a heavy winter coat, and sturdy, closed toed shoes, can all decrease your risk of injury from flying debris. Keeping these items in a go-bag, or in a kit at your shelter location, is a good idea so that you don’t have to try to find things as a storm approaches.
  • In a vehicle: To put it simply, being in a vehicle is one of the most dangerous places to be in a tornado. If a tornado warning is issued while you are driving, the safest thing to do is to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If that is not an option, either park safely on the side of the road, get down in your car, and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine. Never park or seek shelter under a highway overpass. Please note that THESE ARE ALL BAD OPTIONS. If possible, by following along with the forecast, try to avoid being on the road at all if tornadoes are possible.

  • After the storm: Be aware that other hazards may exist after a storm passes. Power lines may be down, debris and broken glass may exist, flooding of roadways may occur, or other storms may be coming. While there may be a temptation to drive around to view damage, if you are safe, and in a safe location, it is typically best to stay put to allow first responders to be able to access areas needing assistance.

2021 Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Posted on by David Hogg

After the February that we all endured, it seems that the general consensus is that just about everyone is ready for spring. With spring in Kansas, however, comes thunderstorms and the threat of severe weather. Because of this, each year the National Weather Service, in collaboration with state and local emergency management officials, hosts Severe Weather Preparedness Week. Dates for the 2021 Severe Weather Preparedness Week will be March 1-5.

Kansas State University participates in this event as an opportunity to both test our on-campus alert systems and to provide weather safety and education information to students, faculty and staff. Each day of the week will have a different theme, which will be expanded upon through this safety blog. Please take the time to think through and prepare your plan and learn a little about the fascinating weather we experience here in Kansas.

Monday, March 1 — Severe Weather Preparedness

What would you do in the case of severe weather? Do you have multiple ways to receive warnings and alerts? Do you know where you would go to take shelter? Where do you get your forecast information? Now is the time to prepare for storms.

Tuesday, March 2 — Tornado Safety

Tornadoes are perhaps the most extreme example of severe weather that we encounter here in Kansas. 2020 proved to be a historically slow year for tornadoes across the state, but historically Kansas sees on average almost 100 tornadoes every year.

Wednesday, March 3 — Lightning Safety

Did you know that lightning strikes the United State approximately 25 million times per year? And that, on average, 47 people are killed each year by lightning strikes? Taking lightning seriously as a threat, and knowing how to avoid potential lightning exposure, is an important part of severe weather preparedness.

Thursday, March 4 — Hail and Wind Safety

Though perhaps not as immediately impressive as tornadoes, hail and wind from severe thunderstorms can pose significant threats to both personal safety and property. A long-lived severe wind event called a derecho impacted Iowa and other parts of the Midwest on Aug. 10, 2020. The result was four deaths and approximately $7.5 billion in damage.

Friday, March 5 — Flood Safety

Floods kill more people in the United States each year than any other severe weather related hazard. Kansas is no stranger to significant flooding, with both short-term flash floods and long-term river flooding regularly taking place during the spring and summer months.