The other morning, I received a text from Monica that she and the kids were in the basement due to tornados near our home in Kansas.
While I received the text in late morning, it was nighttime for Monica and the kids. They heard the sirens sounding and information from my weather radio explaining that there were tornadoes nearby. They did the right thing by going into the basement. When they heard the sirens, they took cover.
In the Springtime, when we think of severe weather, many of us thing of thunderstorms and tornadoes. We see the photos of houses ripped apart due to the destructive winds. This is our most impressive warning to ourselves to be weather-aware during the Spring. But, there are other concerns that come from thunderstorms.
Lightning is a big danger to watch out for during the Spring and Summer months. This lightning can seemingly come out of nowhere and when you may think everything has passed you by. Be careful to remember that “When Thunder Roars, Head Indoors”.
Flooding is another concern during the Spring. I remember the phase: “April showers, bring May flowers.” This may be true, but these April showers can be very dangerous if the come all at once. This water can rise fast during a heavy downpour and the run off can create flash flooding. Sometimes this flooding will cross a roadway. The key here is that it there is any water over the road—”Turnaround, Don’t Drown”.
From wind damage to flooding, Spring can be a very dangerous time if we are not weather-aware. So, go have fun as the weather warms up but also have a plan if the weather begins to turn bad. All of these things will help you have a very weather safe Springtime.
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This post is a part of my partnership with NWS and NOAA as an WRN Ambassador. See more about the WRN Ambassador program at nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation
Photo from the National Weather Service.