If you are visiting Johnson County, Kansas, for FIFA World Cup™ Kansas City and traveling here from another part of the world, you may hear people talk about tornadoes and severe weather. While Kansas is known for wide-open skies, beautiful sunsets and friendly communities, it is also part of an area often called “Tornado Alley.”

​

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes are most common in Kansas during the spring and early summer months, but severe weather can happen at other times of the year as well. Most tornado warnings are short-lived and highly monitored by meteorologists and emergency management professionals.

​

If severe weather threatens the area, you may hear outdoor warning sirens. These sirens are designed to alert people who are outside to seek shelter immediately and check trusted weather information. Sirens are not intended to be heard indoors, so visitors should always have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

​

During your stay, we encourage you to:

​

• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your mobile phone

• Signup for NotifyJoco (our Emergency Alert System) by texting JoCoUnited to 888777

• Download a trusted weather app

• Pay attention to local news and venue announcements

• Know where to shelter at your hotel, stadium or event venue

 

If a tornado warning is issued, move immediately to the lowest level of a sturdy building. Stay away from windows and seek shelter in an interior room, hallway, or basement if available. Large venues and hotels will have staff and emergency plans in place to help direct guests to safe locations.

​

While tornadoes can sound intimidating, communities across Kansas prepare for severe weather year-round. Emergency managers, meteorologists, first responders and public safety partners work closely together to monitor storms and keep residents and visitors informed and safe.

​

Preparedness and awareness are key, and we are committed to helping everyone enjoy a safe visit to Johnson County.