11 Terrifying Things In Kansas That Can (And Just Might) Kill You
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Annie
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It’s pretty safe to say that Kansas is a fairly quiet and secure state. Pair that with unsurpassed beauty and you’ve got yourself an essentially perfect place to live! Well, almost perfect. There are still some undesirable aspects to the state, like dangerous animals in Kansas, and dangerous things in Kansas like cities with high crime rates. We’ve gathered up a few scary things in Kansas that you’ll likely want to avoid, as these things can definitely kill you!
When most of us think of scary things in Kansas, the mind probably first goes to tornadoes. L. Frank Baum didn't just dream these deadly storms up when he wrote "The Wizard of Oz." They're quite real and quite terrifying. The Sunflower State is one of the country's most tornado-prone places and averages nearly 100 tornadoes a year.
Unfortunately, the bad weather doesn't just end in tornadoes. The National Weather Service reports all kinds of dangerous things in Kansas weather, including hail and severe wind. Driving in these conditions can lead to...
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Looking over the Kansas Department of Transportation's statistics is pretty terrifying. You'd think in an expansive state like Kansas everyone would have room for their own vehicle, but accidents are one of the biggest predators in Kansas. Please be careful out there! The overall crash rate per million miles of travel hovers just under 2.0, and the fatal crash rate per 100 million miles of travel is just over 1.0.
You know how it feels to get into your car in the middle of the summer? I'm pretty sure that's what hell feels like. This guy has the right idea, it takes a lot of hydration to survive the summer in Kansas.
Did you know there are several venomous spiders in Kansas? We're home to the black widow, hobo spider, and brown recluse (pictured). Keep your eyes peeled for these fast-moving arachnids, and most importantly, keep your distance!
Spiders aren't the only venomous creatures and predators in Kansas in our neck of the woods. Snakes such as the copperhead also inhabit the state. There are four native venomous snake species in Kansas.
Last creepy crawly, we promise! Ticks are worth noting because of the numerous diseases they carry, which can affect both humans and domestic pets.
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One of the strangest urban legends in Kansas is that of "Hamburger Man." Allegedly, this half-man, half-monster terrorizes the city of Hutchinson. He kidnaps, butchers, and grinds his victims into hamburger meat. We're not quite sure of the veracity of this story, but if you live in Hutch, you might want to keep an eye out, just in case.
Sure, they're technically from Missouri, but we still count them as our team! When they're not on a winning streak, they can break our hearts like nobody else. Let's be honest, heartbreak is one of the most dangerous animals in Kansas.
No matter which school you root for, it's certain that your favorite college team has shattered your soul once or twice. Legend has it that the home team losing a game is more dangerous than any weather storm Kansas can throw at us!
Nope, we're not referring to cutesy puppy love. This is the deadly Triatominae bug, which has recently made its way into Kansas and several southern states. You'll definitely want to keep this predator away from your home and loved ones!
Check out this terrifying video of a tornado in Kansas tearing apart a town from Youtube user Reed Timmer:
Did we miss any of your most-feared scary things in Kansas? Share your phobias in the comments!
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Most Dangerous Things In Kansas
What can you do to stay safe in Kansas?
The following are ways you can stay safe in Kansas:
- To stay safe during a tornado, head to a basement, storm cellar, or small interior room with no windows. The winds can easily break glass causing the risk of injury while you’re sheltering. Keep your head and neck protected and have a radio, cellphone, or other communication device with you in your safe sheltering space. State officials also recommend signing up for an alert service so you have time to prepare in advance of a storm. And perhaps most importantly, if you end up getting blown away by a tornado, don’t trust any wizards running Emerald Cities.
- To combat another weather hazard, the intense heat, wear loose and breathable clothing and avoid strenuous physical activity if possible when temperatures are dangerously high. It’s important to stay hydrated with plenty of liquids, water being the most advantageous option.
- Unfortunately, there’s no way to stay safe from your sports team losing a big game. It’s a rough world. That one’s up to the universe and the coach. We recommend treating the injury with chocolate and relentless, though possibly delusional optimism.