Are There Public Tornado Shelters in Wichita?

May 11, 2010

By Eyewitness News (WICHITA, Kan.)

Question:

When tornado sirens go off, most people know to go to a basement. However, an Eyewitness News viewer wanted to know, "Where can I find a listing of public tornado shelters in Wichita?"

The question came from Metals USA, a sheet metal company in south Wichita. The manager told us, by coincidence, he was reviewing the company's hazardous weather plan when the tornado warning was issued yesterday. He didn't know what to do with the employees still at work.

Answer:

There are no public tornado shelters in Wichita and Sedgwick County. The reason dates back to 1979. That's when a tornado in Wichita Falls, TX killed 42 people. The Sedgwick Co. Emergency Manager says many people died after leaving their homes and businesses and tried to get to public shelters.

Emergency Management says during a tornado warning you should take cover in the basement or lowest level of the building you're in. Find an interior room without windows, such as a bathroom. Put as many walls between you and the storm.

If you're in a mobile home: abandon it and take cover elsewhere.
If you're outside: look for a ditch, ravine or culvert to stay away from debris.

Most people who die in tornadoes are hit by flying debris.

Click to Visit Emergency Management's Website

|

|

|