Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri – It doesn’t seem like it’s that time of the year already, but it’s time to set our clocks forward, time to start preparing our Springtime activities and it’s time to test area tornado sirens and have drills in our schools and businesses.
Missouri will conduct the 39th annual Statewide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 5th at 1:30 p.m. However if severe weather is in the forecast, the drill will be moved to Thursday, March 7th at 1:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency and Missouri’s local emergency management offices urge Missourians to use Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 4th – 8th, as an opportunity to plan and prepare for how they will react and shelter in response to severe weather.
“Severe Weather Awareness Week is a perfect opportunity for school, families and businesses to revisit what they will do if severe weather hits while at school, home or work,” said State Emergency Management Agency Director Donald L. King. “As we all know, tornadoes are a common threat across Missouri, and advance planning and preparation for what you will do when a warning is issued are essential to reacting quickly and sheltering properly.”
On Tuesday, the Missouri outdoor sirens and weather alert radios will sound; indicating Missourians should seek shelter during the statewide tornado drill.
The Dexter Public School System and the City of Dexter will be participating in the Statewide Tornado Drill.
The City of Dexter’s Outdoor Warning System test will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5th and a second test will be at 7:00 p.m.
The outdoor warning system test will use the “Westminster Chimes” sound during the test. After the test, an all-clear message will be sent.
Missouri’s Stormaware.mo.gov website includes detailed videos showing how to take shelter in specific types of buildings, houses with and without basements, mobile homes, schools and important information about tornado sirens and weather alert radios. This site also includes links to free severe weather texting services that can alert people across Missouri to upcoming severe weather.
The National Weather Service provides safety tips and educational information about each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week on the St. Louis Forecast Office site: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=severeweek.
Monday is “Preparedness Day”
Tuesday is “Tornado Safety Day”
Wednesday is “Flash Flood Safety Day”
Thursday is “Severe Thunderstorm Day”
Friday is “NOAA Weather Radio Day”
Tornado Myth: “Opening the windows in your home before a tornado will reduce damage by balancing the pressure inside and outside the structure.”
FALSE! Homes are damaged and destroyed by the extremely strong winds in a tornado, not pressure.
Tornado Myth: “Tornadoes never strike the same area twice.”
FALSE! Tornadoes can strike any area at any time, regardless of past history. For instance, Cordell, Kansas was hit by tornadoes on the same day, May 20th, three years in a row. Also, three different tornadoes hit the same church in Guy, Arkansas on the same day.
There's no time like the present to get prepared and with this week being Severe Weather Awareness Week, there is a lot of information out there on the internet. Stay safe!
