Severe Weather Safety at Lake McConaughy

Certified tornado shelters are available at the following Lake McConaughy & Lake Ogallala NE Game & Parks locations:

  • Martin Bay Shower Building: located at Beach Area #3 (from the big parking lot near the main boat ramp, head east and slightly south)
  • Arthur Bay Shower Building: located directly south of the entrance booth
  • Cedar View Shower Building: located in the center of the Cedar View Campground
  • Lone Eagle Concrete Vault Toilet Building: located next to the shower building
  • Little Thunder Concrete Vault Toilet Building: located next to the shower building
  • Lake Ogallala Shower Building: located in the Lake Ogallala East Campground

MONITOR THE WEATHER: Storms can pop up VERY quickly in Nebraska.  Check the weather in advance and monitor it during the day.  If you’re on the water, be ready to head for shore and take shelter when storm clouds START to gather. A reminder from Keith County Emergency Management: anyone may sign up to receive local weather alerts from Regroup, a FREE emergency notification service: https://embeds.regroupcloud.com/orgs/keithcountyne/signup_embed. If WiFi coverage is a concern while camping, NOAA Weather Radios are helpful. Learn more at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr or see http://mobile.weather.gov for wireless devices.

TAKING SHELTER: The National Weather Service recommends taking shelter in a storm shelter or basement during tornado warnings. They advise you to leave cars, as they will go airborne in strong tornadoes. If caught in the open, “hit the dirt!” Find a low area like a ditch or culvert and protect your head and torso. Highway overpasses should be avoided.

If camping in an RV, and no safe shelter is available, the Good Sam camping blog recommends:

  • If in a truck/trailer combination, shelter only in the truck. With seat belts fastened, keep heads low below the window level and cover with blankets or protective covers.
  • If in a motorhome, move away from the front to an area away from windows. Wear seat belts and cover your head with blankets, pillows, etc.

WEATHER TERMS:

WATCH: Conditions are favorable. Be alert and have a means to receive warnings.
WARNING: The weather event is occurring or is expected shortly. Take appropriate action.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM: Storm that produces one or more of the following: Wind greater than 50 knots (58 mph), hail 1 inch or larger, a tornado.
FLASH FLOOD: A flood with a rapid onset, generally less than six hours.

If the lake looks like this, get off the water!
(photo: Blanca Gonzalez)

Resources: Nebraska Game and Parks, Keith County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, https://blog.goodsam.com/tornado-rv-safety