The Edge

Zach Becker

Editor

“The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for your area.”

The radio announcer blares through in a powerful, stern voice.

“Please immediately evacuate your home, stand on your porch, stare at the sky and hope you spot the spinning cyclone of doom. If you are in a vehicle, please drive towards the worst part of the storm until you find the twister. If you see the vortex, be sure to take some photos to send to KSN News before kissing your ass goodbye.”

For non-Kansans, a tornado is something to be feared. It’s something to hide from deep in a storm shelter (or perhaps a ditch, if circumstances dictate). As the “foreigners” hide below ground, their eyes glued to the TV, you’ll find that nothing brings Kansans out into the weather like a good old-fashioned tornado.

As tornado sirens sounded yesterday in Hays, I once again made this strange observation. I’m a Kansan, born and raised, and I must admit that I, too, am sometimes guilty of this dangerous behavior. As my wife and I drove around town through residential streets during the tornado warning, we couldn’t help but take note of how many people were out on their porches. And not just adult men, but women and children, too. All of them, their eyes glued to the sky, a foot in the door to run back inside should a cyclone draw near.

The streets were busier than normal, too. In fact, many of my friends list storm chasing as one of their favorite activities. Heck, I can remember chasing tornadoes in a car with friends many times in high school (although I never found one).

While we see graphic pictures of the destruction tornadoes have wrought on towns like Hoisington and Greensburg , it seems to have little effect. My own aunt and uncle had their home destroyed in the Hoisington tornado, yet here I am driving the streets during a tornado warning. We’re still drawn out like moths to a flame.

Maybe we just want to see the beast. Get a glimpse before we scurry to shelter. Maybe we just want a story tell. Or maybe we want to take a picture of it, sell it and get our 15 minutes of fame. I really don’t know.

Such is life in the state where the storm chasers roam and the deer and the antelope play. Welcome to Kansas .

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Nothing brings Kansans outdoors like an old-fashioned twister