Saturday, March 6, 2021
Friday, March 5, 2021
Tornado Season: About FIVE Days Away
There are several things we recommend before tornado season begins. They include,
- Checking your insurance coverage.
- Do a photographic inventory of your home from top to bottom. This will be essential for filing an insurance claim if your home is struck by a tornado or other severe storm.
- Chose your storm safety area. The basement is the best, especially if you have a bathroom or can shelter under strong furniture like a pool table. Do not shelter near a "walk out" basement area. If you do not have a basement, shelter on the lowest floor in a bath or closet.
- Practice for a tornado warning. Show your children where the safety area is located and actually take them there. Tell them to go on their own if they happen to be caught alone in the house.
- Buy a backup charger for your phone and put it in your storm safety area.
- Put some diapers, a flashlight, a couple of bottles of water and some snacks (trail mix, for example) in the shelter area.
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If you don't have a basement, a bath or closet toward the middle of the house is your best choice. Put as many walls between you and the tornado as possible. |
- Turn on your smartphone's emergency alerts (iPhone example below). Take it to bed with you if storms are predicted.
- Get the AccuWeather or similar app that tracks your location via GPS.
- Get a NOAA Weather Radio and program it for your area. I recommend programming it for: tornadoes, flash floods, winter storm warnings, blizzard warnings and ice storm warnings. If you add severe thunderstorm warnings, it may drive you nuts when you are trying to sleep.
- Sign up for WeatherCall.
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How to activate storm warnings on your iPhone |
Fr. Kapaun's Remains Have Been Identified
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Danger: Flowers Poisonous to Cats
We were recently at a relative's home and noticed some flower petals laying on the floor upon entering their home. We picked them up and put them on the counter next to the bouquet from which they had fallen.
After a few minutes, one of their cats "said hello" and we noticed some yellow around the cat's face. We put 2+2 together and realized the discoloring was likely due to the lily leafs on the floor. The cat was rushed to the vet.
I'm happy to report that after emergency treatment and a night in the animal hospital, the cat will be okay.
There are many flowers that are poisonous to cats. A list of dangerous and safe flowers is here.
If you know the recipient of flowers has a cat, please be careful of the flowers you send.
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Wind Power is Economical?
Two weeks ago, the State of Texas was in a dire crisis, in part due to wind energy's unavailability the night of Monday the 15th and morning of the 16th. Winds were too light to turn the wind turbines.
Throughout the crisis, we were told that wind helps reduce energy rates. The above article says the same: wind energy helps to "reduce electricity rates." Really?Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Tenth Anniversary of the Joplin Tornado Approaching
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Jaime Green's camera was pointed directly at the tornado but it was completely invisible |
Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
One aspect Mr. Smith did not hit on is the policy of cable providers overriding your
Another factor that I believe played a role in the number of deaths is the simple
This is a well-written book and I encourage anyone who is concerned about the risks of
Monday, March 1, 2021
An Amazing Two-Week Forecast
Modern meteorological models, when used by meteorologists who are both well-trained and experienced, are a marvel.
Ten days ago, on Friday, February 19, we ran this story: Heads Up: Southeast United States.
Now, with four rivers at major flood levels and a dozen or so flooding at moderate levels, the correction between the forecast and actual rainfall is remarkable. Below is the rainfall for the seven days ending at 7am this morning. The dark stripes of red are amounts of 6" or more. A few spots received eight inches.- The Southeastern third of the United States is now very wet. If we get persistent, heavy spring rains, flooding that is even more serious than current levels is likely.
- We are approaching tornado season. The strong thunderstorms that produce tornadoes can also cause flash flooding in areas that are already wet.
30+ Years of Climate Propaganda Have Made People Impervious
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Update on Flooding Threat - 11pm
Here is the likelihood of flash flooding between now and 8 am Monday.
A moderate risk of flash flooding is nothing to sneeze at. If you live in that area, please do not cross flooded areas by car and do have a "go kit" so you can quickly evacuate.Update on Tornado and Flood Threat
Where the tornado threat is greatest.
Updated watches and warnings as of 6:40pm:
Color code:- Magenta = flash flood warning. North of Nashville, these are at or over "flash flood emergency" levels. Do not travel tonight. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
- Greens = various flood warnings and watches.
- Yellow = tornado watch.
- Amber = severe thunderstorm warning.
- Dark pink = severe thunderstorm watch.
Tornado and Flood Threat Today and Tonight
As of 10:25am, here is the flood threat area we've been forecasting for the past week.
- Red is a flash flood warning. Immediate action needed if you live in a flood-prone area and -- whatever you do -- don't try to cross a flooded area by foot or by car.
- Greens are various flood watches or warnings.
This includes Dallas, Sulfur Springs, Isabel, Texarkana and Arkadelphia.
Sunday Story for Black History Month
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Dockum Sit-In Memorial |
Two of the most important milestones in the civil rights movement occurred in Kansas. They were Brown v Board of Education in Topeka and the Dockum Sit-In in Wichita. The former is well known and well documented. The latter was the first civil rights sit-in but is barely known nationally. I've often wondered if that was because it was both non-violent and successful. Not only were the Dockum Rexall Drug Stores in Wichita opened to blacks, the entire Rexall Chain (a big deal in that era) in Kansas desegregated. I highly recommend this piece on the sit-in.
The building that contained the lunch counter is pictured above. The memorial is in a "pocket park" a few steps to the west. Next time you are in Wichita, it is well worth a visit.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
The World Continues to Green
The great news from NASA continues: The world continues to green.
The Sahara Desert has shrunk by 8% over the last 30 years. The bottom line? More food for a hungry world.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Flood Threat Continues in Mid-South
The flood threat continues in the Mid-South region. This is the radar at 9:45am.
Because of COVID, we are just getting a chance to meet our new grandson. Blogging may be less frequent than usual the next few days. I invite you to scroll down because there is a great deal of content the last week.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Thoughts About My Genesis G80
I grew up in a Ford family. My grandfather, father, and brothers and sisters were part of my family of Ford dealers. Ford was one of our major clients at AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions. I was very happy with my Taurus sedans. Unfortunately, Ford decided to stop making sedans so I shopped elsewhere. After test driving cars all over Wichita, I decided to purchase the Genesis.
Now, to answer the questions I have been asked, in no order,
- It drives and rides better than any car I've ever driven. As an extremely frequent car renter for business (Hertz's President's Circle), I've driven more than a dozen makes of cars. The G80 is the best. I also was impressed by the G90.
- While the ride is great, the #1 reason I purchased the G80 was its incredible safety features. I'm very impressed by those and, yes, I frequently use the intelligent cruise control that has been mentioned in several articles. It is great.
- The warranty is one of the best in the industry.
- Genesis' "connected services" is fine and I've used it once. It is good that the car can connect with them, in case of emergency, without using my cell phone. That said, I can take or leave that type of service.
- Genesis brings you a loaner when your car is getting an oil change or other maintenance. They bring your car back freshly cleaned, inside and out.
- Finally, my dealer, Genesis of Wichita, is just incredible. Highly recommended.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Latest Palmer Drought Index and Flood Outlook
This data is for the week ending January 19. While some rain occurred, the drought west of the Continental Divide continues with only slight improvement. Unfortunately, below normal precipitation is expected in the West the next seven days.
Extremely wet conditions continue from Delaware to the Carolinas and then west to the Ark-La-Tex region. I'm sorry to report that forecast rainfall continues to be heavy over the next five days and likely beyond.
The above map is from now until 6pm CST Wednesday, March 4. Significant rainfall may occur the week after. Here is the 8 to 14 day outlook valid from March 3 to 9.Please note the above normal rainfall from the Ozarks to the Middle Atlantic region. So, if you live in a low-lying area or an area prone to flooding, now is the time to begin preparations. Here are some suggestions:- Put together a "go kit." This should include items (photo albums and other valuables) that can fit in your car.
- Keep your car in condition to leave on short notice. Make sure it has plenty of fuel.
- Don't allow prescription medicines to run out.
- Learn where to turn off water and electricity in case you should have to evacuate.
- Make sure school buses do not drive through flooded areas.
The "Emissions-Free" Fantasy of Electric Cars
The Wall Street Journal used to know better than this.
There is no such thing as an "emissions free" electric car unless the electricity is hydroelectric or nuclear. If your electricity is generated natural gas or coal, the emissions are obvious. If the electricity is generated by wind turbines there are still emissions. Why? Because they are so unreliable that natural gas generators are run in the background to go online at a moments' notice.Coronavirus: A Race Against Time
We being told there are more virulent versions of the coronavirus threatening to spread across the United States. The best way to damp them down is with vaccinations but the effort continues to badly stumble. Per NBC News:
Pharmacists at Inova Health, one of the largest hospital systems in the Washington, D.C., area, say they started noticing significant amounts of leftover vaccine in almost every vial, even after they used the additional sixth doses in Pfizer's vials. But because of the FDA's regulations, they are being forced to throw out any extra vaccine.
"It's heartbreaking for us," Massiah-White said. "We've had multiple team members that rotate through here, and at least daily somebody says, 'Why can't we pool the waste?'
The Inova pharmacists did an experiment, taking 100 vials that had residual vaccine. Eighty of them had significant amounts left over. The pharmacists found that with the vaccine left in the 80 vials, they could make 40 additional full doses. That meant that on a typical vaccination day, when the hospital will typically give more than 4,000 shots, it could give an additional 400 vaccination shots with the same supply.
"Ultimately, when there are enough vaccines, wasting some at the bottom won't matter," Jones said. "But right now, we are millions of doses short. So a few extra doses from each set of vials will make a difference in literally hundreds of people a day."
This exchange sums up the situation well.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Extreme Concern About Southeast Flooding
The forecasts continue to indicate excessive rainfall in the already wet Southeast.
Seven Day Forecast
This is the National Weather Service's official forecast of rainfall for the next seven days. Five inch amounts are widespread over central and western Tennessee and immediately adjacent areas.15-Day Forecast
The bright blue represents forecasts of more than ten inches of rain over the next 15 days from the European global model.- Put together a "go kit." This should include items (photo albums and other valuables) that can fit in your car.
- Keep your car in condition to leave on short notice. Make sure it has plenty of fuel.
- Don't allow prescription medicines to run out.
- Learn where to turn off water and electricity in case you should have to evacuate.
- Make sure school buses do not drive through flooded areas.