Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
Spring is finally here with warmer weather and predicted precipitation. With that comes unpredictable storm weather, better known as severe weather or tornado season in Kansas. The Butler County Emergency Management Agency, (Butler County EMA), has put together their annual series of Story Fury on the Plains.
The series is a traveling free informational seminar for residents to attend with the intent of ramping up the public’s storm spotting skills, lingo and knowledge of storm safety. The seminar will travel to Augusta, Andover, Rose Hill, Towanda and Whitewater on the following dates:
Rose Hill
March 13, 7pm at the Rose Hill Fire Station located at 911 N. Rose Hill Rd
Towanda
March 17, 7pm at the Wilbur Wiens Community Building located at 315 Main
Augusta (National Weather Service of Wichita will present here)
March 18, 6:30pm at The Point Events Center located at 2101 N. Dearborn
Whitewater
April 1, 7pm at the Whitewater River Consolidated Fire Department located at 206 S. Main
Andover
April 10, 7pm at Andover City Hall located at 1609 E. Central Ave
The series is led by Butler County Emergency Management unless otherwise noted. The seminars include vital information on storm spotting, identifying tornados and advice on what to do when the weather turns nasty. During the presentations, the Director of the Butler County Emergency Management Agency, Keri Korthals, gives history about recent years’ storms and what makes a storm possible.
“It takes a bit of a mindset to go from snow, ice and negative windchills into sheltering for a new hazard and weather condition,” said Korthals. “So, attending these seminars is a good way to jump start your brain into thinking of severe weather season and be refreshed on the information and how to keep yourself and family safe.”
Last year the seminars attracted well over 100 attendees around the county. At each event the volunteer organizations through Butler County EMA, Butler County Community Emergency Response Team, and Butler County Animal Response Team, will be available for questions and to hand out goodie bags for those in attendance.
Storm Fury on the Plains presentations are free to attend and open to the public. The seminars are a great resource for residents who want to know more about severe weather and tornadoes other than the sirens that sound when it’s time to take cover. They’re meant to educate the public so they can be more prepared to take on severe weather in Butler County. This information could save your life. Presentations run about an hour and a half long. All questions can be directed to the Butler County Emergency Management team by calling 316-733-9796.
