Weather: Violent tornado outbreak likely this weekend

Posted: April 13, 2012 - 3:43am

Updated: April 13, 2012 - 4:18am

This is not something that I normally report on but, I believe this is going to be significant enough that an early heads up will be useful.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma has issued a "High Risk" of severe weather for their Day 2 (Saturday) forecast period. This is an extremely rare occurrence for the SPC to issue a "High Risk" in a Day 2 forecast.

Maps:

SPC forecast for Severe Weather potential Saturday, April 14, 2012
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SPC forecast probability outlook for Saturday, April 14, 2012
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Anyone living within the black hatched areas, of the second map, should expect severe weather Saturday evening into early Sunday morning.

The SPC warns of the potential for; very large hail of 2 inches in diameter or greater, strong wind gusts in excess of 70 miles per hour, and potentially long track tornadoes. This includes areas of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. The highest risk areas are expected to be along Interstate 35 from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma extending north to near Salina, Kansas. Wichita, Kansas is also within the highest risk area. Areas of Kansas between Salina and Kansas City should be prepared for the approaching storms. This includes Lawrence, Emporia, Ottawa, and the Kansas City area.

Storms are expected to begin in the area by late afternoon Saturday and last through the evening and overnight hours as they move East/Northeast. The storms are expected to maintain their severe potential after dark, making this storm especially dangerous.

Anyone living within this region should insure that they have a way to receive severe weather warnings late Saturday afternoon and into the overnight hours, including while they are asleep. Please do not rely solely on outdoor warning sirens. 

Those located within the predicted areas are encouraged to stay tuned to local media and have a safety plan in place as this is a potentially deadly situation.

Outdoor warning sirens are intended to provide tornado warnings only for those who are outdoors. Outdoor sirens may not wake you in the night and alert you of approaching severe weather. A NOAA Weather Radio can alert you to severe storms. NOAA Weather Radios are received from the National Weather Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC) partnered with Midland Radio and Price Chopper, launched Project Community Alert (PCA) in 2002, to offer NOAA All-Hazard Weather Radio Receivers to the public at-cost. More information on NOAA Weather Radios and Project Community Alert.

More information on Tornado Safety can be found here from the National Weather Service.

More information on Severe Weather from the 2012 Severe Weather Awareness packet . 

NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio Stations throughout Kansas
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Outdoor Warning Siren locations and coverage areas in Johnson County
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All information provided by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, the National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill, Missouri and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.

Attention News Media LINK

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More information

Severe Weather Awareness Week 2012

Posted: March 12, 2012 - 3:40am
Updated: March 13, 2012 - 7:00am

In 2011 there were 68 tornadoes in Kansas, three people were killed and seven others injured. The first tornado  of the 2011 season was an EF0 on February 27th in Cowley county and the last of the year was and EF1 on October 8th in Haskell county.

March 12-16, 2012 is this year's Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas, conducted by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management and local emergency management agencies throughout the state. The National Weather Service says, the 2012 severe weather season has already become quite active across the country so it is imperative you prepare now. Severe Weather Awareness Week is a week when the public is encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans.

• Monday, March 12th is "Preparedness Day." The National Weather Service suggest three simple steps to complete. First, Identify the severe weather hazards you may face. Second, Set up your plan. Third, Practice your plan. More information on these three steps. 

• Tuesday, March 13th is "Tornadoes Day." Emergency Management agencies throughout Kansas will be taking part in a Tornado Safety Drill at 1:30 p.m. local time. Outdoor warning sirens will sound and the public, including schools and businesses, are encouraged to put their tornado safety plans into action as if there was a tornado warning issued. More information on Tornado Safety.

• Wednesday, March 14th is "Flash Flood Day." In the past 10 years, flooding has accounted for 14 deaths and $41 million in damages in Kansas alone. "Turn around, Don't Drown!" More information on Flood Safety.

• Thursday, March 15th is "Thunderstorm Day." All severe thunderstorms have the potential to produce damaging winds and large hail. Winds and hail can and do severely damage property every year in Kansas. More information on Hail and Damaging Winds.

• Friday, March 16th is "NOAA Weather Radio Day." Outdoor warning sirens are intended to provide tornado warnings only for those who are outdoors. Outdoor sirens may not wake you in the night and alert you of approaching severe weather. A NOAA Weather Radio can alert you to severe storms. NOAA Weather Radios are received from the National Weather Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC) partnered with Midland Radio and Price Chopper, launched Project Community Alert (PCA) in 2002, to offer NOAA All-Hazard Weather Radio Receivers to the public at-cost. More information on NOAA Weather Radios and Project Community Alert.

2011 Tornadoes by county
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NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio Stations throughout Kansas
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Outdoor Warning Siren locations and coverage areas in Johnson County
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All information provided by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, Kansas Emergency Management Association, National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. 2012 Severe Weather Awareness packet. 

Attention News Media LINK

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More information

Nationwide test of Emergency Alert System scheduled for Nov. 9

Posted: November 1, 2011 - 3:09pm

Updated: November 9, 2011 - 5:30am

For the first time ever, a full-scale, nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will be conducted to help ensure that the system works as intended in the event of a major disaster. The Emergency Alert System has been in place since the 1950's, the November 9th test will mark the first time the system has been utilized at the same time nationwide.

The test is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9. At that time, radio stations, local television stations, wireline video services, and cable and satellite providers in the Kansas City metropolitan area will join other broadcasters across the country for a simultaneous test of the system.

The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.  NOAA's National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. 

"The upcoming national test is critical to ensuring that the EAS works as designed," said Jamie Barnett, Chief of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.  "As recent disasters here at home and in Japan have reminded us, a reliable and effective emergency alert and warning system is key to ensuring the public's safety during times of emergency.  We look forward to working with FEMA in preparation for this important test."

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, Emergency Alert System participants and other stakeholders have been working toward making this test a reality. 

While the test will be similar to the routine monthly tests most citizens are familiar with, there will be a few key differences:

·         The nationwide test will last longer than normal – approximately three minutes.

·         While the audio message will be the same for everyone and include the words, “This is a test,” the video test may vary due to differing technologies. Viewers should be aware that the video messages may or may not include the words, “This is a test” in the background image or scroll at the bottom of the screen.

·         The test will be conducted ONLY through broadcast media (Television & Radio). It WILL NOT include NOAA weather radios, mobile devices or outdoor warning sirens.

The nationwide test will be conducted jointly by the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Communications Commission and National Weather Service. These agencies selected Nov. 9 for the test because it is near the end of hurricane season and before the severe winter weather season begins.

All information provided by and more information available from the following;

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Lenexa, Kansas Fire Department 
• City of Shawnee, Kansas
• Johnson County, Kansas Emergency Management & Homeland Security
• Douglas County, Kansas Emergency Management Department