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Kansas Turnpike provides 30 tornado shelters for drivers

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With tornado season upon us, the Kansas State Highway Turnpike Authority wants to remind drivers of the 30 tornado shelters located along the Kansas Turnpike.

Underneath the tollbooths and the Turnpike Plaza are concrete tunnels that serve as storm shelters and provide heat and electricity to the tollbooths.

“If we were evacuating people from their vehicles or the toll collectors from the plaza, we’re probably seeing the tornado, or it’s not too far from here,” Gruber told KMBC 9 News.

If the weather looks threatening, the highway patrol advises you have a plan in mind for shelter– plan ahead, you know your route, make yourself aware of the areas that offer shelter.

“You definitely want to have a plan during this time of the year,” Gruber said.

It is most important to remember — do not try to outrun the storm, and if you’re too far away from a designated shelter area, don’t try to race the storm. Tornados can shift direction without a moment’s notice. Get out of your vehicle and head for a ditch or the lowest point to the ground.

Below is a list of the Kansas Turnpike shelter locations:

Find a storm shelter on the Kansas Turnpike by location:

Southern TerminalBasement of toll buildingMM 16.5
WellingtonUndergroundMM 19
Belle Plaine Service AreaEZ GO Storage roomMM 26
Mulvane (K-53)Underground, West of tollboothMM 33
Mulvane (Casino)Basement of toll buildingMM 33
Haysville/DerbyUnderground, East of tollboothMM 39
South WichitaUnderground, West of tollboothsMM 42
K-15Underground, West of TollboothMM 45
East WichitaBasement of toll officeMM 50
K-96Underground, East of tollboothMM 53
AndoverUnderground, East of tollboothMM 57
Towanda Service AreaLarge restroomMM 65
El DoradoUnderground, South of toll buildingMM 71
North El DoradoUnderground, South of tollboothMM 76
CassodayUnderground, Northeast of tollboothMM 92
Matfield Green Service AreaLarge restroomMM 97
EmporiaBasement of toll buildingMM 127
Emporia Service AreaEZ GO restroomsMM 132
AdmireUnderground, Northeast of tollboothMM 147
South TopekaAbove ground, behind toll buildingMM 177
Plaza 182, K-4Underground, South of tollboothMM 182
East TopekaBasement of toll buildingMM 183
Topeka Service AreaBasementMM 188
North LecomptonUnderground, South of tollboothMM 197
South LecomptonUnderground, North of tollboothMM 197
West LawrenceBasement of toll buildingMM 202
East LawrenceRestricted access to tunnelMM 204
Lawrence Service AreaEZ GO storage roomMM 209
Tonganoxie/EudoraNONEMM 212
Eastern TerminalBasement of toll buildingMM 217

 

You can also click here to view a map of the storm shelters on the Kansas Turnpike.

KTA Severe Weather Shelters

"What do I do if I see a tornado while on the Turnpike?" With severe weather in the forecast, we encourage travelers to be aware. We have 30 shelters located along our 236-mile roadway. Shelters can be found at plazas and service areas.

Posted by Kansas Turnpike Authority on Thursday, May 26, 2016
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