TORNADO DRILL SET FOR TUESDAY

Missouri marks the beginning of the spring tornado and severe weather season with an annual statewide tornado drill Tuesday.

At 1:30 p.m., cities and counties will activate their individual methods of notifying the public of a weather emergency. Schools, businesses and individuals will also participate.

The tornado drill will also be announced by state and federal warning systems.

During the exercise Tuesday, members of the Scott County Emergency Management Agency will evaluate the notification system and the school tornado drills. Recommendations will be made if improvements are needed, said Joe Burton, Scott County Emergency Management Director.

John V. Halter, coordinator of the Chaffee Emergency Management Agency, said predictions call for more tornadoes and flash flooding this year than usual.

In Missouri, most tornadoes happen between April and June and most often from 3 to 7 p.m. "But a tornado can happen any time any day," said Martha Vandivort with the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Operations Center.

"We encourage everyone to participate in the drill," she said, "especially if you live in a mobile home. About 70 percent of injuries from tornadoes are to people in mobile homes."

In case of inclement weather, the drill will be held Thursday, March 12.