SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IS THIS WEEK

The first day of March marks the opening of trout season in Missouri, but for weather watchers it also means the start of the tornado and severe weather season in Missouri and the Midwest.

The week of March 7-11 has been designated as Severe Weather Awareness Week by the National Weather Service and the Missouri Emergency Management Agency. As part of the observance, the 20th annual statewide tornado drill will be held on Tuesday.

Brian Miller, Cape Girardeau County emergency services coordinator, said the tornado drill will originate in Jefferson City. He said the simulated tornado warning will be transmitted on emergency radio and telephone circuits to all points in the state.

"As soon as the warning is received at the Cape County Emergency Operations Center, it will be transmitted over the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Weather Notification Network to all of our severe weather observers and to all area schools, hospitals, nursing homes, businesses and industry," he said. "Most of these will, in turn, conduct their own tornado evacuation drills to test their severe weather response plans."

Public warnings of the tornado drill will be broadcast over local radio and television stations, and by the National Weather Service's weather radio stations in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky.

Although the peak of the tornado and severe thunderstorm season in the Cape Girardeau area does not come until April and May, Miller, said now is the time to review tornado and severe weather safety tips and to make a plan of action for you and your family when severe weather threatens.

Miller and the Weather Service are concerned that the lack of severe weather during the winter months tends to create apathy and a false sense of security.

Said Miller: "We cannot stop these terrible and deadly tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that sometimes produce hurricane-force winds, but we can save lives by being prepared. Every citizen -- young and old -- needs to know what to do when severe weather threatens. Knowing what to do or where to go when severe weather threatens can make the difference between life and death."

Miller said that during severe weather, lighting and flash flooding -- not tornadoes -- are the greatest threats to life. He said: "Many people do not realize the overwhelming power of flowing water. Trees, buildings, cars, and people are easily swept away by floodwaters from a stream that may otherwise be only a few feet deep any other time. When a flash-flood warning is issued, be ready to go to higher ground. Do not wait until the last minute. Be very careful at night when it's difficult to recognize a flood danger in the dark.

"Above all, don't try to drive through flooded areas. The water may only be a few feet deep, but the force of the water could sweep you off the road into deeper water."

Miller said flash flooding sometimes occurs during outbreaks of severe weather that may or may not produce tornadoes, and, or winds of 60-100 mph. Sometimes all three will occur during the same storm.

"If lightning threatens, move indoors and avoid windows, doors and metal objects," said Miller. "Avoid using electrical instruments such as telephones. If caught outdoors in a thunderstorm, stay away from isolated trees. Seek shelter under bridges."

Miller said everyone should know the difference between a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch and a warning.

"A watch means that weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes or severe thunderstorms," he explained. "A warning means that a tornado or severe storm has been detected either on radar or by weather observers and poses a possible threat to life in its path. A warning is a notice to seek immediate shelter from the storm."

Miller said if a tornado or strong winds from a severe thunderstorm are approaching seek shelter in the basement or an interior bathroom without windows.

People should also know what to do if severe weather threatens while they are in large shopping malls or other large buildings.

According to National Weather Service statistics, 43 people were killed by tornadoes in Missouri in 1993, compared to 23 tornado fatalities in 1992. Another 28 people died in 1993 as a result of flash flooding or flooding conditions. Two people were killed by lighting.

In November 1993, one or two small tornadoes struck the Delta, Chaffee, and Blomeyer areas, causing extensive damage. The same storm system that spawned the tornadoes also produced flash flooding that caused widespread damage in Southeast Missouri.

Two people were killed during the November flash flooding; one in Wayne County north of Patterson, and the other in Madison County seven miles north of Fredericktown. In both cases the victims died after attempting to cross flooded streams.

In early June 1993, a line of severe thunderstorms with winds of 75-90 mph destroyed or damaged mobile homes in its path in Stoddard and Scott counties. Utility company officials said the storms were the most costly in 15 to 22 years in terms of damage to poles, utility lines and electrical transformers.

Miller said detailed information on tornado and severe weather safety tips are available by contacting the EOC at 243-7703.