About how much warning do you have for a tornado??

Question

I am deathly afraid of tornadoes and we are stuck in kansas right now. I just need to know about how much warning will I get and what will it be? I am 100% deaf in one ear so I don't hear much and it's dark out so I can't see anything.... any advice?

Answer 1

Sometimes none at all, I'm sorry to have to say.

Keep an eye on the weather report and make sure you know where to go in case a tornado is reported.  Also learn the difference between a tornado warning (which means a tornado has been spotted somewhere) and a tornado watch (which just means the conditions might allow a tornado to form).  

For what it's worth, I've lived in tornado country my whole life and have seen the aftermath of a few of them, but so far I haven't actually seen one in the flesh.  If you grow up with it, you don't worry about it so much.  Try to take comfort in the calm of people around you who are used to the local weather.

Answer 2

I too, live in Kansas, and love it. You just have to learn to be aware. Pay attention to those watches, and warnings surrounding your area. We can have some really spectacular thunderstorms here, and while I enjoy the lightening and thunder, I know it can turn ugly in a hurry. I wear hearing aids in both ears, and I have a mini support system in place, cause I know that with the wind, I may not hear the sirens. My main source is TV, or radio, then I have people to call me, come by, etc. There are weather radios available that could wake the dead, and they are fairly inexpensive. The #1 thing is to remain as calm as you can. Severe weather happens everywhere, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, etc. The best defense is to be informed. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you.

Answer 3

Just be cautious when there is a "tornado watch" listed; it means that there is a chance for severe weather and tornadoes.  In most cases if a tornado is spotted or a funnel cloud is spotted in the area where there is a tornado watch; people are already at the station and can hit the button for the sirens.  However, in some cases (like a week or so ago in ohio) severe storms can pop out of nowhere and no one is at the station to hit the signal until several minutes after it happens.  In Ohio it went straight to a warning with no watch; this is rare and people weren't prepared because they was no watch ahead of time.  Becuase of that it took 8 minutes after the funnel cloud was spotted for there to be a warning issued.

Answer 4

Although the advanced warnings time have improved over the years, there are still times when one may occur before a warning can be issued and broadcast to the public.  Do you have a neighbor or a friend or relative who is close by that can contact you in case a warning is issued?  Make sure that you have a clear path to you basement, interior room away from windows or glass, or some other pre-planned designated most protected area in your resident...in case you need to get there in a hurry.  This would be my best advice for you at the moment under this short notice if there is a current or expected threat tonight.

Otherwise here are a couple of links that you should take a look at when you have time.

http://www.weather.gov/nwr/special_need....

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/spec...

You can also email your local NOAA National Weather Service office for additional advice.  Here is a link to find your local office.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/nwspage.php

I hope you will stay safe and well.  Good luck!