Special Announcement: A Very Important Occasion

By -
The 25th anniversary of the Wichita-Andover Tornado will be commemorated in Andover, Kansas, on April 26, 2016, at 6pm at (the rebuilt) St. Vincent's Church from 6pm to 7pm, the hour of the day in which the tornado struck.

It will be a remembrance plus a celebration of a town that has recovered beautifully from the storm. I will be there to recount the approach of the tornado, the warning (which saved at least 77 lives) and how very far we have come in weather science since that day. There will displays of memorabilia and photographs from that terrible day.

Even though we are in tornado alley, until that day in 1991, there had never been a tornado fatality in the cities of Wichita and Andover. To non-residents, it is hard to describe the impact the F-5 tornado had on the region.

St. Vincent's is a huge facility about five blocks north of US 54/400 on Andover Road.

If you are not able to attend the commemoration, I recorded a program for the iHeartRadio stations in Wichita yesterday about the tornado. As soon as I have the air dates and times, I will post them. I'll also post a link if one is available.

ADDITION: Since the original posting, I have been asked to do an interview for KFDI-FM's 25th anniversary program. I will post a link to that program, also, when I have that information.

[note: this will be the lead story on the blog Saturday and Sunday]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The East Coast Severe Weather Threat is Over

By -
Image
Midnight: The East Coast Threat for Tornadoes and Severe  Thunderstorms Has Ended 3:50pm. Tornado watch for the Middle Atlantic Region. 2:30pm Tornadoes are also forecast in the South. 2:20pm. A couple of tornadoes, hail and wind gusts to 65 mph are possible with these storms. This includes NYC and Philadelphia.  1:05pm. The tornado risk has been extended northward into New York. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. Remember: if a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement and get under heavy furniture like a pool table. Of, if your basement is finished, get into the bathroom. Go ahead an put a couple of water bottles and, if appropriate, diapers in your shelter area. Wear shoes.  If you don't have a basement or safe room, go to the lowest floor and get into a bath or closet in the middle of your home. Children should be put in the bathtub.  I'll update later today. 
Read more

Today's Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Outlook - 9:30pm

By -
Image
After 65 mph winds went through Wichita, we have been without power for 35 minutes. So, I am going to have to end coverage for the night (using backup systems to write this). Scroll down for the forecast of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms for Sunday and Sunday night.  Please read down for the latest forecasts regarding this dangerous tornado and damaging wind situation! 5:40pm, a new "regular" tornado watch has been issued for north central Kansas.  Note that wind gusts to 80 mph are likely in this storm in addition to tornadoes and giant hail. Please make sure friends and relatives in the area are aware of the danger in the area outlined in red below plus the red area outlined at 2:50pm  In addition to "several strong tornadoes," hail to 4.8" in diameter is forecast along with wind gusts to 80 mph. Now is the time for persons living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and those with mobility issues should be making plans!!  Do not wait until a tornado warn...
Read more

Updated Freezing Rain and Heavy Rain Forecast

By -
Image
Note: An Updated Forecast is Available HERE Freezing Rain The National Weather Service has now issued winter weather advisories, two warnings and a watch. It may be a bit too large but, when it comes to freezing rain and slick roads, caution is usually the better course of action.  Here's a color code: Deep purple is an ice storm warning; serious condition where power outages are possible. Pink is a winter storm warning for significant icing. Deep green is a winter storm watch. I don't know why this is still a watch. If I were on the forecast desk I would have a winter storm warning for icing.  Dark blue is a winter weather advisory, a lesser condition, for icing.  Here is a view of the entire watch/warning/advisory area. The small area of green in Illinois is for flooding and, in Nebraska, for snow.  Here is a forecast of freezing rain amounts; totals to 6am Tuesday.  Color codes: Yellow is 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Power outages may occur in this areas. Deep blue i...
Read more