Earlier this month in Oklahoma
City, thunderstorms rattled the Oklahoma State Fair, overturning booths
and turning tents inside out. With that in mind, we found out the Tulsa
State Fair has a game plan in case of severe weather.
If there's a threat of lightning, the midway shuts down. If there is a
tornado warning - sirens will sound and fair visitors would be directed
into one of the fairground buildings smaller rooms. Of course, you can't stop the weather, but the state fair's staff is staying ahead of the storm.
Todd Crossland sees a lot of winners at his booth. He's worked the Tulsa State Fair every year for about 20 years. So, he has seen his fair share of Oklahoma storms roll through as well.
"If it's pretty bad, we just button down the hatches and, ya know, ride it out. It's about all you can do," said Todd Crossland. "People come out here, it doesn't matter if it's pouring down, there's still people out here on the midway having fun."
While folks are on the midway taking in the rides, games and food, Tulsa Area Emergency Management Director Roger Jolliff, is not far away monitoring Mother Nature's every move.
Jolliff says he's in constant contact with the National Weather Service and local meteorologists.
Lightning and wind are his biggest concerns.
"If it gets up over 45 approaching 50, that concerns us - ya know – 57, 85 would be considered severe thunderstorm, but when you're out here like this, much lower winds are a concern to you because there are so many people outside and lots of debris that could fly around and hurt someone," said Roger Jolliff.
http://www.newson6.com/story/23553718/in-case-of-severe-weather-the-tulsa-state-fair-is-ready
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