Missouri's Annual State Tornado Drill March 5 | News

(KFVS) - As a part of Missouri’s 2013 Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 4 – 8, the State Emergency Management agency will conduct a state wide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 5 at 1:30 p.m.

If Missouri is experiencing statewide severe weather conditions, the drill will be moved to Thursday, March 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Local communities participating in this year’s tornado drill include City of Scott City, City of Jackson, Southeast Missouri State University, City of Cape Girardeau and Village of Allenville.

The drill will be initiated by the National Weather Service office over the Weather Tone Alert Radios. Each of the city’s 9-1-1 Communication Centers will then activate outdoor warning sirens as well as broadcast the tornado message using a variety of methods.

The Missouri EMA says the entire drill should be completed in 15 minutes. Once local citizens hear the broadcast drill message or an outdoor warning siren, they should either practice seeking shelter or think about what safety actions they would take if this were an actual tornado warning.

According to the National Weather Service, Missouri experienced 29 tornadoes in 2012 which were responsible for six deaths and 70 injuries. 

The safest shelter location is an interior room without windows in the lowest level of the building. Other safe locations for businesses and schools include basements, hallways, underneath staircases and designated tornado safe rooms.

The EMA reminds residents:

Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible.  Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take 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.
• If you are in a multi-story building seek shelter in interior small rooms such as a bathroom or in the lowest level of the building possible.
• If you are driving, you should stop and take shelter in a nearby building.
• Overpasses are not safe. An overpass’ under-the-girder-type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect. In some cases bridges have collapsed, killing and injuring those who are seeking shelter underneath them.
• If you are driving in a rural area and spot a tornado, driving away from the tornado’s path may be the safest option if the tornado is far away. If the tornado is bearing down on you, stop your vehicle off the traveled section of the roadway and seek a sturdy shelter or lie flat in a ditch or other low spot. If you are outside, remember to cover your head with your arms, a coat or blanket to protect yourself from flying debris. Be prepared to move quickly in case the ditch fills with water. Also, remember that stopping near the roadway increases the chance of being struck by other by other motorists-so be alert and exercise caution.
• Never drive into standing water. It can take less than six inches of fast moving water to sweep a vehicle into a river or creek. If your vehicle does become stuck in rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Always heed signs that warn of flash flooding.

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