NOAA's National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

CONTENT

The Illinois Statewide Tornado Drill: March 1, 2005 at 10:00 am

The Missouri Statewide Severe Weather Drill: March 15, 2005 at 1:30 pm

Introduction

Statistics

Thunderstorm Safety

Tornado Safety

School Safety

Flash Floods

Lightning Safety

NOAA Weather Radio

Introduction

The National Weather Service and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have declared the week of March 14-18, 2005 as Severe Weather Awareness Week for Missouri.  The goal of the week is quite simple: SAVE LIVES.  The best way to do this is by being prepared.

Everyone should have a basic knowledge of severe weather safety rules.   Knowing what to do, or where to go when severe weather threatens can be the difference between life and death.

A good time for all Missouri citizens to practice their severe weather plans will be during the Annual Missouri Severe Weather Drill, which will be held Tuesday, March 15,  around 1:30 pm.

Special Note: The National Weather Service will make every effort to hold the drill on Tuesday, March 15.  Clouds, rain or snow will not be enough to cancel, unless it is a major storm.  However, if conditions warrant, the backup day for the drill will be Thursday, March 17, also around 1:30 pm. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the drill at the appointed time.  However, if the day or time does not work, conduct a drill at a time that best for you.

The following pages contain valuable safety information concerning severe weather.  Please share this material with all administrators and teachers in your school.  Now is the time to prepare for severe weather this spring and summer.

Public Telephone Numbers NWS Offices Serving Missouri

St. Louis, MO                                                          636-441-8467

Kansas City/Pleasant Hill, MO                              816-540-6021

Springfield, MO                                                       417-869-4491

Paducah, KY                                                             502-744-6440

  Memphis, TN                                                           901-544-0399  

Missouri Severe Weather Statistics*
*contains all data gathered as of February 2005

Thunderstorm Safety

Thunderstorm winds can produce damage just like a small tornado

Lightning, one of nature's most spectacular wonders, is also one of its most deadly events.  It is estimated that lightning strikes the Earth 100 times each second!   Deaths and injuries from lightning can be avoided if people take the proper precautions.  One important thing to remember; all thunderstorms produce lightning.

If Lightning threatens, move indoors.  Once inside, avoid doors, windows and metal objects. Avoid using electrical appliances. Use the telephone only in an emergency.

If driving, stay in your automobile.  An enclosed automobile offers reasonably good protection fom lightning.

Outdoors, stay away from isolated trees.  If your hair stands on end or your skin tingles, lightning may be about to strike. Crouch down quickly and make a low target.

Thunderstorms also can produce strong wind gusts.  These straight-line winds have been known to reach 100 miles an hour. For this reason, you should treat severe thunderstorms just as you would tornadoes.  Move to appropriate shelter if in the path of the storm. The strong out rush of wind from a thunderstorm is often called a downburst.  One of the primary causes is rain cooled air. The rain cooled air accelerates downward rapidly producing a potentially damaging gust of wind.  Strong downbursts are often mistaken for tornadoes.  They can produce extensive damage and are often accompanied by a roaring sound similar to a tornado.  Downbursts can easily overturn mobile homes, tear roofs off houses, and topple trees.

Tornado Safety

Tornado!  Missouri recorded 69 tornadoes in 2004, well above the average of 28 per year. The  modern day record was set in 2003 with 84 documented tornadoes in the state. The precious record has been 79 tornadoes in 1973. Those 69 tornadoes in 2004 killed 7 people and injured 27. We can't stop tornadoes, but by following Tornado Safety Rules, lives can be saved and injuries prevented.

Warning the public of severe weather is the National Weather Service's (NWS) most important job.  To help the public prepare for tornado situations, the NWS has adopted a Watch and Warning program.

Tornado Watch: This means that conditions are favorable for tornado development.   This is the time to prepare.  Keep alert by listing to NOAA Weather Radio, or the commercial media for the latest weather information.

Tornado Warning: This means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.   People in the path of the storm should take immediate life saving action.

In schools, hospitals, factories, shopping centers and other public places: Move to designated shelter areas.  Interior hallways on the lowest level are best.   Stay away from windows and out of auditoriums, gymnasiums, or structures with large free span roofs.

In Vehicles: Do not try to outrun a tornado. A tornado does not have to slow down for traffic, stop signs, or curves on the road. Seek shelter in a substantial building. Abandon your vehicle if necessary and hide in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head.

Mobile Homes: Mobile homes should be abandoned in favor of a more substantial structure if threatened by a tornado. If severe weather is approaching, move to a different location for a couple of hours if necessary and wait until the storms have passed. Mobile homes are not build to withstand the strong wind gusts that come from severe thunderstorms or tornadoes.

Tornado Myths

Myth: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.

Fact: No place is safe from tornadoes. They can cross rivers, travel up mountains, and roar through valleys.

Myth: Low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to "explode" as the tornado passes overhead.

Fact: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.

Myth: Windows should be opened before a tornado to equalize pressure and minimize damage.

Fact: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone.

Tornado Safety in Schools

EVERY School Should Have a Plan

	Develop a severe weather action plan and have frequent drills.
	Each school should be inspected and tornado shelter areas designated. Basements off the best protection. Schools without basements should use interior rooms and hallways on the lowest floor and stay away from windows and doors
	Those responsible for activating the plan should monitor NOAA Weather Radio (if covered) or the local commercial media.
	If the school's alarm system relies on electricity, have a compressed air horn or megaphone to activate the alarm in case of power failure.
	Make special provisions for disabled students or those in portable classrooms.
	Make sure someone knows how to turn off electricity and gas in the event the school is damaged.
	Keep children at school beyond regular hours if threatening weather is expected. Children are safer at school than in the busses. Bus drivers must be kept informed of the latest weather conditions while on the road
	Lunch or assemblies in large rooms should be delayed if severe weather is anticipated. Gymnasiums, auditoriums, and often cafeterias offer little protection from tornado-strength winds.
	Move students quickly into interior rooms or hallways on the lowest floor. Have them get down on their knees, bend over and cover their head with their hands.

Flash Flood Safety

What has been one of the biggest weather related killers in Missouri over the past 10 years?  The answer is Flash Flood/Flood events: 43 deaths to 31 deaths. The only reason the numbers are that close is because of the last 2 years. In 2003 and 2004 26 people died in tornadoes while only 2 died in flash flood events. 

 Many people do not realize the power of flowing water.  Trees, buildings, automobiles, and people are easily swept away by flood waters. Many people who die in a flash flood die in their vehicle, and Missouri is no exception.  Areas that have become major problems are LOW WATER CROSSINGS!  As the name implies, during low water there is usually no problem.  However, when the water rises, especially quickly as in a flash flood, low water crossings become DEATH TRAPS. On average, it only takes about 2 feet of water to make a car float.  Once floating, it will be swept downstream and often overturn, trapping the occupants inside.  The National Weather Service (NWS) has produced a videotape about low-water crossings; The Hidden Danger, Low-Water Crossings. Contact your local NWS office for details.

NEVER drive into a flooded area! Be especially cautious at night when darkness will often hide flood dangers.  If you live in a flood prone area, have a plan of action in case flooding strikes.  Stay tuned to the latest weather developments and be ready to move quickly. Abandon personal property and move to higher ground.

Camping near small rivers is very popular, but can also be very dangerous.  There were 2 deaths in 1997 because of people camping along a river that flooded.   Remember that heavy rain upstream may lead to serious flooding at your location with little or no warning.  Avoid camping along small rivers or streams when heavy rain is in the forecast anywhere in the stream basin.

Missouri Tornado / Flood Deaths

Lightning Safety

For information on lightning and lightning safety >> CLICK HERE <<

NOAA Weather Radio

For information on NOAA Weather Radio and the transmitters serving Missouri and surrounding areas >> CLICK HERE <<