Stoddard County, Missouri - The National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Public Safety, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have declared the week of March 5th - 11th, 2017 as Severe Weather Awareness Week for Missouri.
The goal is simple: SAVE LIVES!
Be prepared and everyone should have some basic knowledge of severe weather safety rules and an weather plan in place.
A good time for all Missouri citizens to practice their severe weather plans will be during the Annual Missouri Severe Weather Drill on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
If there is actual severe weather, clouds, or rain the drill will be postponed to Thursday, March 9th. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the drill. Ask your employer if you can participate.
From 1950 - 2015 Stoddard County has had 36 reported tornadoes.
In 2016 there were 18 reported tornadoes in Missouri. the most active month was April followed by May.
Monday is Preparedness Day. Identify the severe weather hazards you face. Storms can produce tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain that can produce flash flooding. Set up your plan whether at home or in the workplace. Then practice your plan with drills and determine if they will work.
Tuesday is Tornado Safety Day. Know the difference between a Tornado Watch and a Tornado Warning.
Wednesday is Flash Flood Safety Day. Just six inches of swiftly flowing water can knock a person over and two feet of water will cause a vehicle to float. Each foot of water exerts 500 pounds of force. Remember TURN AROUND! DON'T DROWN!
Thursday is Severe Thunderstorm Day. thunderstorms are dangerous because they include lightning, high winds, heavy rain and possibly tornadoes. By definition, a thunderstorm is a rain shower that contains lightning. A severe thunderstorm is one that contains large hail, 1 inch in diameter or larger and/or damaging straight-line winds of 58 mph or greater. Rain cooled air descending from a severe thunderstorm can move at speeds in excess of 100 mph.
Friday is Communication/NOAA Weather Radio Day. The Wireless Emergency Alert System is now available in newer cell phones. There is nothing you need to download. It is built into the cell phone. The cellular carriers receive NWS warnings and if you are within the coverage area of a tower you will receive that warning.
