Monday’s severe storms in the region, including a tornado in Middle Tennessee that killed at least 25 people, arrived at the start of Kentucky’s Severe Weather Awareness Week from the National Weather Service, recognized March 1 through 7.
Rick Shanklin, the Warning Coordination meteorologist at NWS in Paducah, said March and April are the months with the most tornadic activity, but every month of the year offers potential for severe weather in the state.
“April and May are the months that we see on average, the greatest number of severe thunderstorms including tornadoes in our region. Having said that, we do get severe weather each month of the year,” said Shanklin. “So, the bottom line though is we need to be prepared, because we do get severe thunderstorms every month of the year.”
He said nocturnal tornadoes are common in Tennessee as well as the Mississippi and Ohio Valley regions, which includes Western Kentucky.
Mid-Mississippi Valley, to the Ohio Valley does have the highest frequency overall of nocturnal tornadoes of anywhere in the country,” he said. “You got to have that method to be alerted at night. And that includes a weather radio. Everyone should have a weather radio.”
Shanklin said it’s important to keep more than one method of weather alerts available during high impact weather, suggesting weather radios and a cell phone with emergency alerts. He advises people in mobile homes or cars to find a low place like a ditch.
For people in homes without basements, Shanklin said an interior room with no windows is the safest location. He suggests covering with a mattress and wearing a bike or sports helmet if available.
The NWS suggests practicing tornado sheltering plans.
Hannah Bullard is a Murray State Journalism major. She found her place in radio during her second year in Murray. She is from Herndon, Kentucky, a small farming community on the Kentucky/Tennessee stateline. She first discovered her love for NPR when she stumbled upon "This American Life" while traveling. She believes everyone has a story worth telling. Her favorite pieces to produce are centered around people and their community. She hopes to continue a career in journalism through broadcast or non-profit work.
