By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Thanks to a partnership between Dillons Food Stores, Wichita-based KAKE-TV and Ellis County Emergency Management, residents can receive free severe weather prep from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of Dillons, 1902 Vine.

Longtime KAKE meteorologist Jay Prater will answer questions and program weather radios while staff from Ellis County Kansas Emergency Management offer information on disaster preparedness.

According to Dillons spokeswoman Sheila Lowery, Hays is the second stop on the statewide tour that began last week in Wichita, a tour designed to keep Kansans safe when severe weather is headed to their area.

“We know that by programming a weather radio with local alerts, it can help keep our customers safe,” Lowery said. “I know if you are like me and my weather radio goes off at all times in the night, I tend to just shut it off and, by programming for local alerts, we help make sure Kansans get the information they need when severe weather strikes.”

Lowery said the community is welcome to bring their own weather radios for free programming. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios will also be for sale at the event.

Prater will be visiting Dillons stores in cities across the state for Weather Radio Tuesday through June 30. Stops include Great Bend, Salina, Garden City, Dodge City and more, but dates have not been confirmed.