Statewide tornado drill set for Tuesday

Tuesday is Tornado Awareness Day in Missouri. In other words, it's time to find the flashlight, weather radio and some batteries.

A statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday -- unless there's severe weather, in which case the drill will be moved to 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri State University, which held monthly alarm tests Wednesday, will participate in the drill.

When alarms sound, Cape Girardeau County emergency management director Dick Knaup wants everyone to "think about what your appropriate reactions would be during an actual event."

The drill, a joint project of the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service, is a chance for all communities, schools, businesses and individuals to test -- or create -- an action plan.

In a statement announcing the drill, John H. Campbell, SEMA's acting director, recalled the May 10 tornado that hit Jasper, Newton and Barry counties in southwest Missouri, killing 16 people and injuring more than 200.

The statewide tornado drill lasts about 15 minutes. The National Weather Service will start the exercise with an announcement to emergency officials; weather tone alert radios and broadcasters will deliver the tornado drill message. In most communities, the severe weather sirens will sound.

"We make it an opportunity for us in Jackson and the people to know what that siren might sound like in the event of severe weather," said Jason Mouser, Jackson's fire chief and emergency director.

Firefighters will visit each siren location to make sure the devices are working properly, he said.

Jackson has eight tornado sirens and plans to add a ninth, Mouser said.

Chaffee will also participate in the drill, according to Mayor Loretta Mohorc. She said this month city officials are working on a grant to get a third weather alert siren.

Knaup said Allenville will have a chance to test its new siren, which was bought with grant money. He is working on finding grant to help unincorporated parts of the county.

Mark Hasheider, emergency manager and assistant fire chief for Cape Girardeau, said Tuesday's drill includes testing the city's employee messaging system.

SEMA's statement also included a review of important terms: A tornado watch means "keep an eye on the sky for severe weather" while a tornado warning means to take shelter immediately.

SEMA officials are asking people to practice finding shelter. People in schools or businesses can use basements, hallways or space under staircases. Those in mobile homes should leave and find a ditch or low-lying area. Drivers should park their cars and find a ditch or low-lying area, using their arms, a blanket or coat as protection against flying debris. Overpasses are not considered safe during tornadoes, according to SEMA, because high winds passing under them become stronger and more focused.

Knaup has organized a weather spotter class for people who want to learn to read the clouds. The class, 6 to 9 p.m. March 31 at the Knights of Columbus, upper hall, 3305 N. High St. in Jackson, will be taught by Greg Meffert, a senior forecaster with the National Weather Service.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent addresses:

222 W Yoakum Ave, Chaffee, MO

525 S Hope St., Jackson, MO

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

National Weather Service, 8250 Kentucky Highway 3520, West Paducah, KY

Cape Girardeau Fire Station, 1 S. Sprigg St. Cape Girardeau, MO

SEMA, 2302 Militia Drive, Jefferson City, MO. I