Weather
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
Facing an unimaginable tragedy like the one that in Joplin, MO in 2011 and most recently in Moore, OK earlier this week, brings to mind questions about safety in our hometown of Eudora. Facebook follower Lori Durrant posed the following question:
Does anyone know if the storm shelter located at the Eudora Elementary School is available to the community during a tornado warning?
We talked to Kristin Magette, Communications Director for the Eudora School District who gave us the following response:
-And don’t forget to practice your drill. Put together an emergency stockpile kit and store it somewhere you can best access it during an emergency.
-In preparing for tornadoes, secure large appliances, such as the water heater, as well as large, top-heavy pieces of furniture. Mark where utility switches are located so that they can be turned off if you have enough time. Consider storing important documents or copies of documents in a fire and waterproof safe.
-If you’ll need help during an emergency, ask someone nearby if she or he will assist you. Think about giving that person a spare key to your home in case of such emergencies.
FEMA has more information on it’s web site about things people can do to prepare themselves in the event of a tornado.
The Douglas County Emergency Management Department also has several pieces of information on their website. At the site, you can sign up for the Immediate Response Information System (IRIS) which is a call notification system being utilized by Douglas County to provide residents with health and safety information including weather alerts sent by the National Weather Service in Topeka. The messages can be voice, email and/or text messages. The IRIS system is provided free of charge. Note: Text message rates may apply depending on your mobile phone service plan.
http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/em_home.aspx
Another tip that we were told by Walker after the Joplin tornado and wanted to again pass along: Cell phone towers may go down and communication can be limited, but texting should continue to work even with the loss of cell towers. You may not be able to call someone with your cell phone, but you should be able to get a text message through.
Photo of the storm clouds as they rolled into Eudora Sunday evening (photo by eudorareporter.com reader Susan Lounsbury)
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
Severe storms that dropped tornadoes in Wichita and Emporia on Sunday afternoon rolled through the Eudora area Sunday evening around 7:00 PM but had very little impact as they came through. Many residents reported via our Facebook and Twitter feed that there was no damage or strong winds associated with the line of thunderstorms. Most residents reported heavy rains that lasted between 30 and 45 minutes.
According to reports from various Kansas City media outlets, winds picked up again with the storm as it moved into the metropolitan area and caused some damage to trees and power lines in area. There was also a few isolated reports in the metro area of straight line wind damage.
Forecasters are saying that the risk of possibly severe storms could affect our area again today. While the biggest chances of severe storms is again in Oklahoma, Southeast Kansas and over a large swath in Missouri, the Eudora area could potentially see heavy rains and possible hail this afternoon into this evening.
We will keep you apprised of any watches and warnings that could be placed on the Eudora area. We will also have continuing coverage on our Facebook and Twitter feeds as well.
Picture of the storms clouds as the rolled into Eudora earlier this evening (photo courtesy eudorareporter.com reader Susan Ewy Lounsbury)
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Douglas County until 7:15 PM Sunday evening.
Sever Thunderstorms can bring strong winds, heavy rain and possible hail. A line of storms has been indicated on radar moving towards the area from the south east. Winds have been indicated to be gusting between 60 m.p.h to 75 m.p.h. in some parts of this storm.
The area is also under a Tornado Watch until 10:00 PM this evening.
We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and keep you updated on any sever weather impacting Eudora.
More measurable snow blew into the Eudora area Sunday morning. This is the third major snow storm to hit Eudora in 2013. (Photo submitted by Rachel Fulks)
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
Winter Storm Virgil (yes, we love The Weather Channel naming the storms) rolled through North East and East Central Kansas during the overnight hours dumping 4 – 6 inches of snow on the Eudora area.
Meteorologists say the snow is expected to continue through the morning hours but the heaviest has already moved through our area.
Crews in Eudora began plowing streets in the early morning hours and will continue throughout the day. Stronger winds will continue to blow the snow over roadways making road conditions slick.
Caution is urged if your getting out and about this morning. KDOT has stated that all roads are open but report that both I-70 and K-10 are snow packed. If you are getting out and about to head to church or any other location, allow plenty of extra time to reach your destination and be care as sidewalks will also be slick due to drifting snow.
The Winter Storm Warning continues until 1:00 PM this afternoon.
Photo submitted by Kim Neis during Winter Storm Rocky in February 2013
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for a large portion of northern and central Kansas. The warning begins at Noon Saturday and lasts until 1:00 PM Sunday.
Precipitation is expected to begin this afternoon as a rain or rain/snow mix and transition to all snow later on tonight. Moderate to heavy snow is likely through early Sunday morning. The snow is expected to taper off early Sunday afternoon.
The Weather Service is predicting 4 to 7 inches of snow with locally heavier amounts possible. Kansas City forecasters are predicting 6 to 12 inches for the immediate area. Winds are also predicted to be strong with gusts around 30 m.p.h. through the day on Sunday.
Winter Storm “Virgil” as the Weather Channel has taken to naming snow storms is coming from the west out of the Rockies. It is expected to follow I-70 across the state before it heads east over the remainder of the weekend and into Monday. Reports state that Goodland, KS already has 8 inches of snow on the ground.
With heavy snowfall and blowing winds, travel is expected to be hazardous with snow packed roads and drifting snow. Travel is discouraged by KDOT officials as the storm hits.
We will continue to keep you updated as the Virgil makes it’s way through the area.
