Source: Mary Knapp, 785-532-7019, mknapp@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
K-STATE CLIMATOLOGIST WARNS OF CLEAN-UP DANGERS
MANHATTAN -- A tornado remains dangerous long after it disappears, according to Kansas State University's Mary Knapp, state climatologist and associate agronomist with K-State Extension and Research.
"You'll often have more injuries as people try to pick up than you had from the storm itself," Knapp said. "People need to be very careful.
"They're working under stress and pressure and they can be more vulnerable to injuries, especially people who have been working 48 hours straight, cleaning up more immediate damage."
In addition to unstable structures, broken glass and shredded metal, tornadoes can spread hazardous materials such as asbestos through a community. "That will require special handling," Knapp said.
People who discover asbestos or other hazardous material should call their local fire department.