The Superior Express -

After such a cold stretch of weather, it’s hard to believe spring is around the corner and so is severe weather. In an effort to help everyone prepare, the National Weather Service (NWS) is sponsoring the 2021 Kansas Severe Weather Awareness Week March 1 to 5.

One key to surviving a natural disaster is preparedness. To that end, the NWS will conduct a tornado drill to help everyone practice their safety plan. The tornado drill will occur at 10 a.m., Tuesday. A test tornado warning will be issued by each local NWS office. The NWS suggests everyone consider treating the drill as a real event and practice a severe weather safety plan. However, in the time of COVID-19, the NWS also encourages everyone to abide by health and safety guidelines, including social distancing and wearing a mask per local directives. If that’s not possible during the tornado test, then consider participating by simply sheltering-in-place or discussing sheltering options and plans among co-workers and family members.

In addition to the drill, the NWS has produced a packet of information which includes a summary of the 2020 severe weather season, lots of tornado facts for Kansas and local NWS office reviews of last season’s weather. All the information in the packet is free and can be republished. Check out the packet at: https://www.weather.gov/media/ict/SWAW/SWAW_2021.pdf