By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
Spring often greets Kansas yearly with powerful storms, sending meteorologists on the road while residents take shelter indoors.
Many Kansans become accustomed to severe weather, but at Storm Fury on the Plains, National Weather Service meteorologists Robb Lawson and Kevin Darmofal reminded residents of how dangerous severe weather can be.
"You need to take it seriously; that's what we try to impart to people, especially here," Darmofal said. "It never happens to you until it does, and when it does, it's very tragic."
Storm Fury on the Plains held its first seminar this year at Kansas Wesleyan University Peters Science Hall, beginning a string of 25 different presentation locations across the state.
LISTEN MORE: 🎙King in the Community: State Rep. Steven Howe legislative update
Lawson opened the presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 6, with varying storm structures, from squall line storms to photogenic supercells.
Squall lines are long lines of storms that often host dangerous wind gusts and hail, while supercells are isolated, rotating storms that regularly produce tornadoes and downpours of rain and hail.
In the presentation, Lawson pointed out various parts of a supercell and how to gauge its severity based on visual information and radar scanning.
As many residents and seasoned storm spotters listened in the audience, one attendee sat eager to learn more about something that scared him.
Rachael Walker and her 6-year-old son, Jaxson Walker, attended the presentation to learn more about storm safety and some new information about powerful storms.
Jaxson Walker once feared storms, but in recent years, he's learned more about severe weather, and now, according to Rachael Walker, it's become a significant interest in his life and something he strives to learn about.
"Especially when we have that fear, I feel like knowledge is power," Rachael Walker said. "I feel like that helps a lot with not being as fearful and just learning about stuff."
Once Jaxson learned more about severe weather, Rachael Walker said he grew confident about protecting himself during a storm and what to look for in the future.
When a powerful storm hits, Rachael Walker said she and her family enjoy taking quick looks out the window to view the squall, and once it's safe, they often venture out to look for rainbows.
Rachael Walker homeschools Jaxson and his two sisters, so teaching about storm safety became essential in the at-home classroom.
READ MORE: Salina's best-kept secret — PKM Steel helped construct Super Bowl LVIII Allegiant Stadium
Preparedness leads to increased safety
Storm Fury on the Plains only reinforced Rachael Walker's teachings at home, with Darmofal stating that knowing about powerful storms leads to safer decisions while looking for safety.
"Know what to do, have a plan, and have that plan in advance, not waiting until the last minute, then you have multiple ways to receive weather information and warnings," Darmofal said. "Those are probably going to keep people safe."
An essential factor that weaved through the presentation for experienced storm chasers and residents was keeping two or more avenues to receive severe weather information.
Darmofal and Lawson stated the importance of having a weather radio on hand, alongside any other source for information, including a smartphone, another radio, or television.
The Saline County Emergency Management team helped facilitate the presentation in Peters Science Hall. The County Public Information Officer, Melissa McCoy, shared easy ways to remember critical storm safety tips.
"When the thunder roars, get indoors. Turn around, don't drown," McCoy said. "Number one, we want people to be safe."
Storm Fury on the Plains will continue its presentations across the state, teaching storm spotters new information on technologies or reporting techniques while informing everyday citizens on how to stay safe during severe storms.