March is
Severe Spring Weather Preparedness Month in Missouri because the weather
transitions from snow to rain, tornadoes and flooding. The National Weather
Service, the State Emergency Management Agency and local emergency management
offices will conduct the 36th annual state tornado drill at 1:30
p.m., Tuesday, March 9. The weather service will initiate the drill. If
Missouri is experiencing statewide severe weather conditions, the drill will be
moved to Thursday, March 11 at 1:30 p.m.
“The state
tornado drill reminds citizens, schools and businesses to practice taking
shelter when a tornado warning is issued. Last May, 38 Missouri counties were
included in a federal disaster declaration for severe weather and tornadoes.
Those storms were responsible for seven fatalities and 21 serious injuries,”
said State Emergency Management Agency Director Paul D. Parmenter. He
noted that a May 2008 tornado was responsible for 16 fatalities and more than
200 injuries in Newton, Jasper and Barry counties. An April 2006 tornado
destroyed and heavily damaged structures in Caruthersville, Braggadocio and
Deering in Pemiscot County.
The entire
drill can be completed in 15 minutes. Once Missourians hear broadcast drill
messages or outdoor warning sirens, they should practice seeking shelter. The
safest shelter location is an interior room without windows in the lowest level
of the building. Other school or business safe locations are basements,
hallways, under staircases and designated tornado safe rooms. Once everyone is
accounted for, the drill is over.
Remember:
·
Tornado watch
means watch the sky. A tornado may form during a thunderstorm.
·
Tornado warning
means seek shelter immediately.
·
An
interior room without windows on the lowest floor is the safest shelter
location.
·
Do
not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the
roof might collapse.
·
Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building.
·
Overpasses are not safe. An overpass’ under-the-girder-type construction can
cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect.
·
If
you are driving, you should stop and take shelter in a nearby building.
·
If
you are driving in a rural area, seek shelter in a roadside ditch. Protect
yourself from flying debris by covering your head with your arms, a coat or a
blanket. Be prepared to move quickly in case the ditch fills with water
·
Never
drive into standing water. It can take less than six inches of fast moving water
to make a slow moving car float. Once floating, a vehicle can overturn and
sink.
Helpful
websites:
SEMA’s
Spring Severe Weather Campaign:
http://sema.dps.mo.gov
Missouri
Department of Transportation Travelers Map:
http://www.modot.mo.gov/
Missouri’s
Ready In 3 program:
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Ready_in_3/
FEMA’s
Animals in Emergencies for Pet Owners DVD:
http://www.fema.gov/individual/animals.shtm.
NWS – St.
Louis Spring Weather Campaign:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=preparedness
NWS –
Springfield Spring Weather Campaign features coloring books, pamphlets and
videos:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=floodawarenessweek
NWS –
Springfield office driver safety for flash flood and low water crossing
information:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=ffrap_index
and
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=ffrap_lwc
For additional information,
contact Tom Martin, Stone County Emergency Management Director. 417-739-2181