Kansas Tornadoes: Emergency Power Tips with EcoFlow
Kansas ranks among the top states in the U.S. for tornado frequency, averaging over 80 twisters each year. While the most active months are April through June, tornadoes can strike at any time of year, day or night. That means preparation isn’t optional; it's essential. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to stay safe before, during, and after a tornado. From identifying safe shelters to powering your essential appliances during an outage, having a solid plan could save lives when the skies turn dark.
When Is Tornado Season in Kansas?
You may have heard that the infamous Tornado Alley has been shifting eastward out of Kansas, and our frequency of severe tornadoes has been declining since 2010. While that is true, we still experience a busy tornado season every year from April to June, peaking in May with about 24 tornadoes that month. We also still have more twisters on average than every other state except Texas. Furthermore, while historically 74% of tornadoes occur from April to June, they can strike year-round, although January tornadoes are exceptionally rare.
How To Stay Updated on Kansas Tornado Warnings
Listen for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone (similar to an Amber Alert).
Listen to your local commercial radio or television channels.
Check if your county has a local emergency alert system and sign up for it. If your community has a tornado siren, familiarize yourself with the sound.
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio (requires a special receiver).
Check for alerts on the National Weather Service.
Visit TornadoHQ for current alerts across the USA.
Install a weather app on your phone for local alerts.
Have your EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus ready to charge your phone if the power goes out. This way, you can stay tuned in for emergency updates.
How To Prepare for a Tornado in Kansas
The best way to protect yourself and your family is to prepare for emergencies before one strikes.
Identify Safe Rooms or Tornado Shelters
You must first locate the nearest safe room or storm shelter that ideally meets FEMA standards. Alternatively, basements, cellars, and interior rooms with cement walls are good choices. If you live in a mobile home, you must evacuate and seek a sturdy building or a low point in the landscape. Also, you need to locate a safe refuge near all the places you spend a lot of time, including home, work, school, and other locations, since you typically only have about 10 minutes after a warning to seek safe shelter. Never try to drive to a shelter, as this puts you at higher risk.
Watch For Warning Signs
Tornadoes can strike with little or no warning. Be proactive and learn the warning signs of a developing tornado. Immediately seek shelter if you see the following signs:
Exceptionally dark skies, often with a greenish hue
A loud roaring sound like a passing freight train
Dark, low, rotating, or funnel-shaped clouds
Debris clouds
Prepare Your Emergency Kit
Next, prepare your emergency kit and keep it in a waterproof bin in your storm shelter, safe room, or near the door if you need to evacuate. Ensure your kit contains the following:
1 gallon of water per day per person for 3 days
Non-perishable food for each person for 3 days
Can opener, eating utensils
Food and water for your pets
Complete first aid kit
Essential prescription drugs if necessary
Dust masks
Soap, toilet paper, hand sanitizer
Emergency whistle
Rechargeable LED flashlights
Multi-tool and duct tape
Lighter or matches in a waterproof container
The EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank is compact and portable. It will keep your phone charged so you can stay connected and informed.
Prepare an Emergency Communication Plan
Practice a yearly drill with your entire household to ensure everyone knows where to go, whether at home, work, or school. Also, practice your family communication plan so everyone knows who to contact in an emergency, how to contact them, and what to do if a family member isn’t home. Also, go over where your backup meeting place is in case your house is unsafe. Finally, go over where the emergency kit is located, what’s in it, and what to do with the contents, including some basic first aid. When you do your yearly drill, refresh your water, food, and medical supplies, and recharge your flashlights and backup power sources.
Purchase an Emergency Power Supply
Power outages and tornadoes often go hand in hand; depending on the damage, they could last several days. An emergency power supply is critical to keep your family safe and ensure that essential appliances like refrigerators, freezers, medical equipment, and computers stay running. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 is the best storm generator since it offers 4000W output and can power 120V and 240V appliances. It’s also expandable with extra batteries, allowing you to use it as a complete whole-home generator.
The EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators are the superior choice for safe backup power since they don’t use fossil fuels and emit no fumes, so they won’t cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which kills 400 people annually in the USA. They come in various capacities to suit everyone’s energy needs, and since they also come with solar panels, you can stay connected even during extended blackouts. For those with rooftop solar panels installed, now is a good time to inspect them, ensuring their mounts and connections are secure to help prevent storm damage.
What To Do When a Tornado Hits Kansas
Tornadoes are common in Kansas; these steps will help keep you and your loved ones safe when the inevitable happens.
Immediately stop what you're doing and seek safe shelter when you hear an emergency alert or see the warning signs of an approaching tornado.
Stay indoors unless your home has no safe refuge (like a mobile home), and never get in your car to drive to a shelter.
If you’re in a large building without a safe room, go to the lowest floor and put as many interior walls between you and the outside as possible.
Stay away from doors, windows, and glass.
Climb inside an interior closet or under a sturdy desk or table if available.
If you need to evacuate your home, are outdoors, or are in a car, immediately go to the nearest sturdy building and get inside. If there isn’t one, look for the lowest point in the landscape, like a ditch or a ravine, and climb inside.
Get down as low as possible and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Listen for emergency updates to know when the danger has passed or is worsening. You can use your EcoFlow Portable Power Station to keep your devices charged and stay connected.
If you get trapped, don’t yell for help, as inhaling dust can damage your lungs. Use an emergency whistle if you have one, or bang on pipes or other objects and try making noise that way.
Stay where you are after the storm passes unless you have a serious medical emergency. The roads and buildings may be unsafe, and if the streets are kept clear, emergency responders can help more people faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tornadoes Common in Kansas?
Kansas is located in the heart of the infamous Tornado Alley, which averages 81 tornadoes per year, the second-highest in the USA after Texas. Although Tornado Alley has been shifting eastward, they are still quite common, though less severe.
Is Kansas in Danger of Tornadoes?
Kansas experiences the second-highest average annual number of tornadoes in the USA. Even though storms have been declining since 2010 as Tornado Alley has been shifting eastwards, and we have been experiencing fewer F4s and F5s than we used to, the danger is still very real and unpredictable.
Final Thoughts
Tornadoes in Kansas are not a matter of if, but when. That’s why preparing ahead by knowing the warning signs, identifying safe shelters, and keeping your emergency kit and communication plan current is the best way to protect your loved ones. Power outages are a common part of severe storms, but with the reliable EcoFlow Portable Power Stations, you can keep your devices charged, your food cold, and your family connected when it matters most. Don’t wait for the next sirens to sound; get prepared today and stay safe.