Severe Weather Preparedness Week starts March 4

By Courier-Tribune

In April 2023, an EF-2 tornado swept through Bollinger County, devastating a community and claiming the lives of five people. In July, two more people were killed in separate incidents after massive trees uprooted by a severe storm in the St. Louis area fell onto a house and a car. That same month, another individual was killed when a tree crushed a camper during a round of severe storms in southwest Missouri, the State Emergency Management Agency shared in a press release.

These tragedies all serve as reminders of the importance of being prepared for severe weather anytime, anywhere, and that it’s not just tornadoes that can prove deadly.

“Whether it be severe storms, tornadoes or flooding, Missouri faces a variety of deadly weather threats every year, each highlighting the tremendous need to be prepared no matter where we are,” State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said. “This includes learning about the risks, having a plan and knowing what to do to stay safe before severe weather strikes your area.”

Week’s activities

To encourage Missourians to prepare for severe weather and learn how to protect themselves, the National Weather Service, SEMA and local emergency managers will observe Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 4 to 8. Missouri’s annual statewide tornado drill will occur at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, as part of the week’s preparedness activities. Some Missouri communities may choose to conduct the drill on a different day due to conflicting local events, according to the press release.

At 11 a.m. on the day of the tornado drill, NOAA Weather Radios set to receive the Routine Weekly Tests will alert listeners that the tornado drill has begun. Outdoor warning sirens will also sound across participating Missouri communities. At that time, participants should practice taking cover in a designated shelter area or an interior room on the lowest level of a secure structure.

Schools, businesses and families are all encouraged to participate in the drill. Educators are also encouraged to use the tornado drill as an opportunity to incorporate tornado facts, meteorological information and safety tips into their lesson plans.

NWS provides several safety tips and educational information about tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, lightning and the importance of NOAA Weather Radios on its Severe Weather Awareness Week page.

Each day during the week will focus on a different safety message: receiving weather information, March 4; lightning safety, March 5; tornado safety, March 6; hail/wind safety, March 7; and flood safety, March 8.

Creating family evacuation plans

“Follow local forecasts any time severe weather is anticipated. Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts in case one fails or if severe weather strikes overnight,” states SEMA. “Create a family emergency plan to stay safe and remember to include all pets when building an emergency kit and stocking up on supplies. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is also important to know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.”

Families should identify several places to go in an emergency such as a friend’s home in another town or a motel.

“Choose destinations in different directions so that you have options during an emergency,” states a release on ready.gov, a public service campaign site designed to empower families in emergency mitigation. The site is a partnership between the U.S. Office of the Inspector General, Federal Emergency Management Agency and other U.S. government agencies. “Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area. Always follow the instructions of local officials, and remember that your evacuation route may be on foot depending on the type of disaster.”

If a family has a vehicle, the following is recommended:

• Keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely.

• Make sure the vehicle contains a portable emergency kit including needed medications of family members.

Household emergency plans should be kept simple and easy to remember, states a release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“An information link to the outside is crucial,” states the release. “Post emergency numbers by the phone. Teach children how to call 911 for help. Teach responsible family members how to turn off the utilities in your home.”

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the most important thing to remember during an emergency, is to stay calm.

“Some emergencies might knock out the electricity, that is why it is important to have a battery-powered radio nearby,” states a Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services informational booklet available at health.mo.gov.

When evacuating, families should follow local agency instructions, seek out local shelters when possible and leave early enough to avoid severe weather.

If time allows, a family should:

• Call or email other relatives and tell them where the family is going.

• Secure the residence by closing and locking doors and windows.

• Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding.

• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a hat.

• Check with neighbors who may need a ride.

Families should also craft a communication and reunification plan to maintain contact and reunite if relatives get separated.

Tornado watches vs. warnings

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. Therefore, it’s important to be ready to act quickly if it becomes necessary. A tornado warning means seek shelter immediately because a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar causing imminent danger to life and property.

“The safest shelter location for tornadoes is generally an interior room without windows on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure, preferably in the basement. Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse,” states SEMA. “Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building and never seek shelter under an overpass – the dangerous wind tunnel effect combined with flying debris can be deadly.”

Other safety tips

If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you, states SEMA. Leave elevated areas and avoid isolated trees. Seek shelter immediately in an enclosed building or vehicle.

“The safest place to be when there is high winds or hail is indoors. Avoid driving to prevent injuries or vehicle damage. Consider all downed power lines as live,” reports the state agency.

Never drive into standing water, even if it appears shallow.

“As little as 6 inches of fast-moving water can cause a car to lose control or float. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and sweep it away. Murky water can hide hazards including dangerous debris and road damage,” reports SEMA.

More information can be found at stormaware.mo.gov, which includes detailed videos on how to take shelter from tornadoes in specific locations, how to avoid flash flooding dangers and useful information on tornado sirens and weather alert radios.