Twister time
John Schlageck
Saturday, April 5, 2008
For many of us May 4, 2007, will be a day we always remember. On that fateful day the town of Greensburg, in Kiowa County, was all but wiped off the face of the earth.
The tornado that hit the small Kansas community of 1,500 killed 11 people and injured dozens more. Ninety percent of the town was destroyed including 961 homes and businesses. Another 216 received major damage. Wind speeds more than 200 miles per hour accompanied this storm.
Other killer tornadoes occurred that day with a death in Pratt County and another in Stafford County. Some of these monster twisters were nearly two miles wide. Eleven tornadoes occurred on May 4.
The next day another 36 tornadoes were reported in Kansas, falling just short of the all time record of 39 tornadoes in one day set in June 1992. Fourteen tornado-related fatalities were reported last year, including 82 injuries, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka. Thirteen of these fatalities occurred during the May 4-5 outbreak.
Last year, Kansas nailed down the dubious distinction of setting a record for the number of tornadoes that occurred in our state. In 2007 137 twisters ripped through Kansas. This number is 80 more than the 1950-2007 period average of 57.
New records were also set for the most tornadoes in February, March and May. In February, nine storms hit Kansas. March had 26 more and in May 77 tornadoes were reported in the state.
The first tornado of 2007 roared into our state on Feb. 23 in Meade County. Tornadoes in southwestern Kansas had never been documented before. The twisters occurred late in the evening and danced across Meade, Gray and Ford counties. The strongest and longest tornado had its sights set on Dodge City but fortunately vanished before reaching the community of 30,000 people.
In March tornadoes once again hit the state. During the wicked night of the 28th, one of the strongest and longest twisters tracked from west of Jetmore to west of Ness City. This storm path totaled 29 miles and measured three-fourths of a mile wide.
Fortunately there were not human lives lost, however nearly 100 head of cattle were killed in the storm. More than a dozen homes were destroyed or damaged, and more than 150 power poles were blown down including transmission lines.
During that same evening in late March, the longest tracking tornado was recorded in Sherman and Cheyenne counties. This storm traveled 34 miles. The last tornado of ’07 occurred on Sept. 28 in Gove County
The worst tornado as far as loss of human life goes remains the Udall storm that occurred on May 25, 1955. Eighty people were killed in this twister and another 270 were injured.
Andover ranks as the second worst storm on record. Seventeen people died and 302 were injured.
When it comes to safety concerning tornadoes, the bottom line remains the same: tune in, stay informed and keep an eye on the sky.
Remember pay attention when you hear a tornado watch because this means severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible over a wide area. Tornado warnings are issued when Doppler radar indicates tornadoes are forming or a trained weather spotter has sighted a twister. This warning will tell the location, and if possible, movement, estimated speed and the towns in the tornado path.
Think ahead during this upcoming severe weather season. Listen to forecasts daily, key into local weather conditions in your area. Know where your nearest shelter is and remember when a tornado threatens, immediate action may save you and your loved ones’ lives.
F John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.
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Posted by JLTAYLOY (anonymous) on April 6, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It sure would be smart to get all the training your readers could get from the Emporia Red Cross befor the Tornado's hit the great state of Kansas. They are there to only help people.
They can use help all the time, but there alwas there when you need them!
Don't just think about, DO IT!
Jim T
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