REGION DRILLS FOR SEVERE WEATHER

The number of tornadoes reported in Missouri last year 23 was about average. But only 10 years earlier, a record 79 tornadoes swept through the state.

A major problem weather service's severe weather forecasters must contend with each year is public apathy toward severe weather preparedness, especially if it has been several years since a particularly significant outbreak of severe weather has occurred in the state.

That's why each spring, the weather service and the Missouri Emergency Management Agency conduct a statewide tornado drill during Severe Weather Awareness Week.

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Missouri and Illinois. At 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, a simulated tornado warning was transmitted from Jefferson City to all Missouri counties.

The warning was received in Cape Girardeau County at the sheriff's department, which immediately broadcast the warning message over the Cape County Weather Notification Network to area schools, hospitals, nursing homes, businesses and industry.

At the same time, the warning also was received by the emergency operations staff and severe weather spotters.

As warning bells or buzzers sounded in area schools, students quickly filed out of their classrooms into basement shelters, or inside hallways where they would be away from flying glass and debris in the event of a real storm. Hospitals participated by reviewing emergency procedures already set up in the event of severe weather.

Cape Girardeau Schools Superintendent Neyland Clark is a strong supporter of severe weather preparedness. "To me, a severe weather drill is just as important as a fire drill. I came to Cape Girardeau from Indiana, so I'm very familiar with severe weather and tornadoes," he said.

In the event severe weather threatens the Cape area, a radio receiver located in the superintendent's office is activated by the Cape County Weather Notification Network. Similar radios are located in other county schools, while other schools in the region rely on weather radios activated by the weather service's Weather Radio Station, WXL-47.

The station is located near Bloomfield. Similar weather radio stations are positioned in Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky.

"We cannot stop tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, hail, lightning or flash floods from occurring, but we can save lives and protect property by being prepared," said Jim Kramper, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Forecast Office in St. Charles County.

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

Lightning and flash flooding usually pose the greatest danger to people during severe weather, Kramper says.

Last year, four people died and three were injured in flash flooding or flooding in the state. Five were injured when struck by lightning, and 16 people were injured by debris from strong, straight-line thunderstorm winds.

"Many people do not realize the power of flowing water," Kramper said. "Trees, buildings, vehicles and people are easily swept away by flood waters," he said.

"If lightning threatens, move indoors, and avoid windows, doors, and metal objects. Avoid using electrical instruments. Use telephones only in an emergency. If you're caught outdoors in a thunderstorm stay away from isolated trees."

Reflecting last year's lack of severe weather, there were no deaths from tornadoes in Missouri and only five injuries.

The weather service says the number of deaths and injuries from severe storms has dropped significantly during the past 42 years as forecasters are better able to detect severe weather through weather spotters and storm detection radar units.

But Kramper says it is still up to each individual to know what to do when severe weather threatens. "If you are at home or in small buildings, stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls. Protect your head. Find something sturdy, and get under it. Try to get as many walls between you and the outside as possible," he said.

"The basement is the best place to go. An interior bathroom is often the safest place when no basement is available. If you don't have time to get to the basement or bathroom, get under a table and cover your head.

In schools, hospitals, and other public areas, move to designated areas, says Kramper. Interior hallways on the lower floors, preferably the basement are best. Stay away from windows.

When a tornado or severe thunderstorm with powerful winds approaches, leave mobile homes and vehicles and find shelter in designated storm shelters, under a bridge, or in a ditch. Do not try to outrun the storm.

Kramper says shoppers in large malls or shopping centers with no shelters should stay away from windows and take cover.

"Be sure you know the difference between a severe weather watch and a severe weather warning," he continued. "A `watch' means severe weather, such as a tornado, strong winds, hail, lightning and heavy rains, may occur in your area. A `warning' means that severe weather is approaching and it is time to seek shelter from the storm."

Kramper says one of the best investments people can make is in a tone-activated weather radio that receives National Weather Service broadcasts. The receivers costing $30-$50.

For those who have scanners, the weather radio station frequencies may be programmed into home or mobile scanners. The WXL-47 station at Bloomfield operates on 162.400 megahertz.

"Be sure you have batteries to operate the weather radio or scanner if the power goes off," Kramper said. "And it also helps to have a portable radio that can pick local radio stations for additional storm information."

According to the weather service's National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City, five Southeast Missouri counties rank among the top 20 of the 114 counties in the state reporting tornadoes between 1950 and 1992.

Dunklin County is 6th, Scott County 14th, Cape Girardeau County 17th, Mississippi County 18th and Stoddard County 19th.

Jasper, Jackson, Boone, Howell and Ray counties are the top five tornado counties in the state.

Nationwide, Missouri ranks seventh in the number of tornadoes reported during the past 42 years. Texas is first.

Texas also leads in the number of tornado deaths during the same time period, followed by Mississippi and Arkansas. Illinois is 9th, and Missouri 11th.