Tornado Safety: ‘Tis the season

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  
As temperatures rise at McConnell, so too does the likelihood of experiencing tornado.

Though many were not stationed here to remember the devastation, on April 26, 1991, a tornado ripped through McConnell.  By the end of the storm, 21 buildings on the main side of base and 120 residential units in the base housing area were destroyed. Though no one on base was killed, some people were injured.

Fortunately, McConnell rebuilt from the devastation, and though it's been more than 20 years since a tornado caused this amount of damage on the base, the spring season's alternating cool and hot temperatures provide a prime environment for a tornado to form.

"In Wichita, since 1950 the number of tornadoes between February and March jumps significantly," said Staff Sgt. Raymond Carr, 931st Air Refueling Group emergency manager.  "May and June are the two months that get hit the hardest because of the weather changes."

According to Tech. Sgt. Stacey Spain, 931 ARG Emergency Management NCOIC, in 2014, Kansas was fortunate to experience the lowest amount of tornadoes since 1989, with a count of 40, the highest measuring in at only Enhanced Fujita scale 3. 

Though low in number, tornadoes still occurred, which is why it is important to make sure you know what do during the storm, said Carr.

For those who are not familiar with what to do in the event of a tornado, Carr recommends visiting the FEMA sponsored website at www.ready.gov/tornadoes.

"[This site] includes everything from what you should be doing at your house, the plan you should make with your family, what should be in your emergency kit and where you should locate your kit," he said.

As for what to keep in your emergency kit, Carr says a home emergency kit should include at least three days' worth of food and medicine, as well as sanitary items.  A work station emergency kit should include approximately 24-hours' worth of the same items.  The site also includes what you should do at work and what you should keep in your car in the event of a tornado.

For more detailed information about what do in the event of a tornado, visit www.ready.gov/tornadoes, the American Red Cross website or the Sedgwick County Emergency Management website.