MidWest SSTRC

05/29/2026

Chad Woodward

The day after Independence Day 2022 on Reichstetter road looking West. This was when we were saying don't report this wall cloud unless it's a rotating wall cloud well this one wasn't. Back in the day I always had GPS and would get a quick shot of it so I knew exactly where I was because when you're near severe weather it's best to keep an eye on that and not everything else until you're in a safe place.

05/22/2026

Family Preparedness Friday – Week 2

Build a 72-Hour Emergency Supply Kit

When an emergency happens, you may need to leave your home quickly or shelter in place without electricity, running water, or access to stores. Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, winter storms, and extended power outages can all disrupt normal services in Grant County.

A 72-hour emergency supply kit is designed to provide your household with the essential items needed to remain safe and comfortable for at least three days.

Why a 72-Hour Kit Matters

During a disaster, emergency responders may be delayed while they address the most urgent life-threatening situations. Roads may be blocked, stores may be closed, and utility services may be interrupted.

Having a kit ready means your family can:
Stay hydrated and fed.
Manage basic medical needs.
Maintain communication.
Remain comfortable during power outages.
Evacuate quickly if instructed.

Preparedness reduces stress and helps your family focus on what matters most.

Basic Supplies to Include
Each family’s kit will be different, but every kit should include the following essentials:
Water
One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
Additional water for pets.
Food
Three-day supply of non-perishable food.
Manual can opener.
Disposable utensils if needed.
Lighting and Power
Flashlights or battery-powered lanterns.
Extra batteries.
Portable power banks for cell phones.
Vehicle chargers.
First Aid and Medications
Basic first aid kit.
Prescription medications.
Over-the-counter medications.
Copies of prescriptions.
Communication
Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio.
Fully charged cell phones.
Printed emergency contact list.
Personal Items
Extra clothing.
Blankets or sleeping bags.
Hygiene supplies.
Cash in small bills.
Important Documents
Store copies of:
Identification cards.
Insurance policies.
Medical information.
Bank account information.
Property records.
Keep documents in a waterproof bag or digital backup.
Special Needs Supplies
Consider:
Infant supplies.
Pet food and medications.
Mobility aids.
Hearing aid batteries.
Items for elderly family members.
Where to Store Your Kit
Keep your emergency kit in a location that is:
Easy to access.
Known to all family members.
Portable enough to take during an evacuation.
Many families use plastic totes, duffel bags, or backpacks.
Maintenance Tips
Review your kit every six months to:
Replace expired food and medications.
Update clothing sizes.
Test batteries and chargers.
Update documents and contact lists.
Budget-Friendly Preparedness
You do not need to purchase everything at once.
Try adding:
One extra case of water.
A few canned goods.
A flashlight.
Batteries.
Building your kit gradually makes preparedness affordable.
This Week’s Preparedness Challenge
Before the weekend, gather the following five items:
1. Flashlight
2. Extra batteries
3. Three days of bottled water
4. Non-perishable food
5. Printed emergency contact list

Place them together in a tote or backpack and designate it as your family’s emergency kit.

Final Reminder
Disasters can happen with little warning. A 72-hour emergency supply kit helps ensure your family has the resources needed to stay safe and self-sufficient until help arrives.

Taking a few simple steps today can make a significant difference when an emergency occurs.

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B9qUWi5DF/

Radar technology has improved tremendously over the years and has helped save countless lives, but it still has limitations.

One thing many people don’t realize is that not every tornado will show a classic, obvious radar signature. Some tornadoes can develop very quickly between radar scans, remain rain-wrapped, occur far from radar sites, or stay weak/brief enough that low-level rotation is difficult to detect clearly in real time.

A documented example of this occurred during the May 4, 2007 Greensburg, Kansas EF5 tornado event.

While the main Greensburg tornado had strong radar signatures, later research conducted using storm surveys, mobile radar analysis, and video evidence found that multiple smaller satellite tornadoes developed around the main circulation. Some of these smaller tornadoes had weak, subtle, or rapidly evolving radar signatures that were difficult to identify clearly in real time.

Research presented through NOAA-supported studies and the American Meteorological Society later showed that several of these satellite tornadoes developed outside of the main hook echo and within complex areas of rotation surrounding the parent tornado.

The graphic attached to this post is an educational illustration designed to explain the concept discussed above. The radar image shown is NOT a real archived radar scan from the Greensburg event or any actual tornado event.

This post is meant purely for weather education and awareness.

Radar is an incredibly powerful tool, but it is not perfect, which is why tornado warnings should always be taken seriously — even if radar images online do not always show a dramatic or perfectly defined velocity signature.

Storm spotters, emergency managers, meteorologists, researchers, the National Weather Service, SPC forecasters, and countless others throughout the years have all played major roles in improving tornado detection, warning operations, public awareness, and severe weather safety across the United States.

Sources used for this educational post include:
• NOAA / National Weather Service
• NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL)
• Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
• American Meteorological Society research related to the Greensburg tornado
• National Weather Service radar limitation documentation

04/29/2026

https://www.wfaa.com/article/weather/mineral-wells-storm-damage-aerial-images-destruction-chopper-latest-tornado-north-texas/287-8ba3e28f-6365-499a-b38c-5aa4a2453d70

We're getting our first look at the damage caused by a possible tornado in Mineral Wells, with aerial pictures of damage to homes, trees, and buildings.

04/28/2026

May 23-24 ham radio class covering the Technician license (and beyond). Yes, it's really free, and yes, it's serious education for those who want to develop a good grasp of not just the exam question pool but the theory that makes it all work.

Please EMAIL me with questions or to register.

I don't always see comments or FB messenger notes.

Scott N7JI
[email protected]

04/19/2026

On behalf of the MidWest Severe Storm Tracking/Response Center, we extend our deepest appreciation to all who remained steadfast in service to our communities throughout the challenging weather of this past week. Your awareness, preparedness, and decisive actions made a meaningful difference when it mattered most.

We commend our dedicated members, our community volunteers, and the many partner agencies who worked tirelessly—often behind the scenes—to uphold the mission we share: strengthening community safety and preparedness through vigilance, communication, and collaboration.

To those on the front lines, to our media partners who kept the public informed, and to every individual working quietly “behind the curtain,” thank you. Your commitment, endurance, and professionalism carried our region through a long and demanding week, and we are proud to stand alongside you.

04/17/2026

Issued By
Milwaukee/Sullivan - WI, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
Portions of east central, south central, and southeast Wisconsin, including the following counties, in east central Wisconsin, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan. In south central Wisconsin, Dane, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Lafayette, Marquette and Rock. In southeast Wisconsin, Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha
Description..FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.

WHERE...Portions of east central, south central, and southeast Wisconsin, including the following counties, in east central Wisconsin, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan. In south central Wisconsin, Dane, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Lafayette, Marquette and Rock. In southeast Wisconsin, Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha.

WHEN...From 1 PM CDT this afternoon through Saturday morning.

IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall on a saturated is possible. An additional 0.50 to 1.25 inches of rain is expected, with locally higher amounts to 2.00 inches possible. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.