Residents reminded of severe weather possibilities

Sunday, March 3, 2013

BENTON -- Heads up: it's tornado season again.

Severe Weather Awareness Week, which kicks off Monday with the 39th annual statewide tornado drill and continues through Friday, is "a good time to focus on preparedness," according to Tom Beardslee, Scott County's emergency management director. "Severe Weather Awareness Week is a perfect opportunity for schools, families and businesses to go over what they will do if severe weather hits while they are at school, home or work."

"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," Donald L. King, director of the State Emergency Management Agency, advised in a news release.

Outdoor warning sirens and weather alert radios will sound at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday signaling Missourians to seek shelter during the statewide tornado drill. The safest shelter location is the basement or an interior room in the lowest level of a building.

If severe weather is in Tuesday's forecast the drill will be bumped to 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Beardslee said people should have a plan ready in advance for Tuesday's drill.

"The idea behind this whole week and the drill is for folk to develop a plan for themselves, their family, their school or business and have a general idea of what they're going to do," he said.

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