[Press Release] : Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 10-14; statewide severe weather drill scheduled for March 11

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 29, 2008

CONTACT: Columbia/Boone County
Emergency Management
(573) 874-7400

Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 10-14; statewide severe
weather drill scheduled for March 11
									
	(COLUMBIA, MO) -The annual statewide severe weather tornado
drill will be held at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11. As
part of the drill, Public Safety Joint Communications will activate the
warning sirens. If the Columbia/Boone County area is experiencing severe
weather, the siren activation will be rescheduled for Thursday, March
13.	
	The outdoor warning sirens serve as only one part of the local
emergency alert system. Specific information regarding the actual nature
of the emergency, the beginning time and expiration time of a watch or
warning is provided by local broadcast media. No “all clear” signal
is sounded. In the event of an actual disaster, specific information
would be obtained from the local print and broadcast media.	
	The drill takes less than 15 minutes. Once the severe weather
announcement is made, citizens are asked to seek shelter in the lowest
level (basement, if possible) interior room away from windows. Schools
and businesses might seek shelter in basements, hallways or under
staircases. The drill highlights the importance of accounting for
everyone in your home, class or office.
	This is also a good time for residents to practice their severe
weather safety
plans. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. Some steps to take are:
●	Create an emergency plan and discuss with all family members.
●	Prepare a disaster supplies kit. Assemble the drinking water,
food
and supplies, battery-powered radio, flashlight, etc., you might need
in an emergency. Store them in an easy-to-carry container, such as a
backpack or duffel bag.
●	Locate hazards in your home. In an emergency, ordinary items in
the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall,
break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.
●	Know what to do and where to go if you have to evacuate.
●	Prepare an emergency car kit.
●	Prepare a fire safety plan.
	For more information or a more detailed checklist, contact the
Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management at 874-7400 or
visit the city’s Web site at www.GoColumbiaMo.com.

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