The 2019 Missouri and Kansas statewide tornado drill will be held on Tuesday, March 5th at 10 a.m.
Starting at 10 a.m., a net will be held on all Southwest Missouri Regional Skywarn Repeater Network repeaters, on our EchoLink Node: N0NWS.R (291849), and via the Southwest Missouri Skywarn DMR Brandmeister Talkgroup: 31297. All stations who check in are encouraged to indicate whether you were able to hear your local tornado sirens and/or if your N.O.A.A. All Hazards Radio alert tone was activated.
This net will take place in lieu our regularly-scheduled Skywarn Training Net for Tuesday evening, March 5, 2019, at 7 p.m.
* Important Note: Due to the cold weather this year, some locations are announcing that they will not activate their tornado sirens to prevent possible damage to those sirens.
Why Participate?
Severe weather can strike at any time in Missouri, making it important for all of us to be prepared to find the most secure shelter available no matter where we are. The statewide tornado drill is an excellent opportunity for Missourians to practice their sheltering plans and ensure readiness in case of a severe weather emergency. The statewide drill provides schools, businesses, and families with an opportunity to test their planning and readiness to be able to quickly seek appropriate shelter in case of a real severe weather emergency. By practicing and increasing readiness across the state, Missourians will feel confident and prepared in the event of actual severe weather emergencies.
How to Participate
At 10:00 a.m. on the day of the drill, NOAA Weather Radios will alert listeners that the tornado drill has begun. *Outdoor warning sirens will also sound across Missouri. At this time, participants should practice taking cover in their designated shelter.
Schools, businesses and families are all encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill. Schools are encouraged to use the tornado drill as an educational tool for students by incorporating tornado facts and meteorological information and safety tips into their lesson plans.
Missouri’s annual Statewide Tornado Drill is part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, which includes:
- Monday – Preparedness Day
- Tuesday – Tornado Safety Day, including a tornado drill at 10:00 a.m.
- Wednesday – Flash Flood Safety Day
- Thursday – Severe Thunderstorm Day
- Friday – NOAA Weather Radio Day
StormAware is using Facebook and Twitter to help provide severe weather facts and safety information in the days leading up to and during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Please like StormAware at facebook.com/StormAware and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/MoStormAware.