04/17/2026
With the frequent storms here in Kansas City, a lot of us are feeling more anxious than usual. If weather changes put you on edge, you’re not overreacting; you’re human. Please be gentle with yourself and check in on one another. 💙
This might be a good post to pass along today (or file away for the future) and it concerns weather anxiety.
This is a thing, and for some people it's a BIG thing and I understand. This fear IS real and I want you to know that we'll be there for you today especially, as we always are. Perhaps some of you have experienced very bad weather in the past, here or elsewhere. I want you to know that we won't hype anything, we won't scare you with our coverage but will WILL bring you information that you need to know and act upon IF something really serious happens in your area. Sometimes that information can be unsettling to you and I understand that.
Please know which county you live in and what part of the county you are in...very important.
It's OK to be scared. We've had severe weather this week that, even for us, is a bit unusual. Huge hailstones, damaging tornados, strong straight line winds...for some of you it can be a lot to process and it's been a rough week, especially with the lead up today.
Here's what you can do BEFORE the storms come. Have your safe place figured out (basement, closest, bathroom-just be on the lowest floor, if possible). Have a fully charged phone today and have multiple ways to receive alerts. Remember to stay attuned to the forecast and the changes that may occur with said forecast as things develop in the afternoon.
Connect with friends and family. Should there be bad weather where they are and you're good, connect...send a text...alert and warn them, they may not be paying as much attention to the skies as you are and help them out. Don't rely on unverified sources. If the kids get scared, explain to them what's happening. If you can, teach them about what makes thunder, or what makes hail or tornados. Make google your friend on this and teach them )and perhaps yourself about the whys of weather. You'd be shocked at how the kids can calm down when they know the whys of things.
After the storms pass, try and take some deep breaths and relax a bit. Do what you need to do to take a break and chill. Make sure the kids are calming down as well. I always try to mention what areas are safer from the worst of the storms when warnings are issued.
Be prepared and stay safe. Remember tornados, by comparison are VERY small entities in size. The odds are VERY small that you will be directly effected but just in case I won't you to have knowledge...because when it comes to this type of stuff knowledge is power!
