[Press Release] : Statewide tornado drill to be held March 9; everyone encouraged to practice their plan!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Zim Schwartze, OEM Director - (573) 874-7400

Statewide tornado drill to be held March 9; everyone encouraged to
practice their plan!

COLUMBIA, MO (March 8, 2010) - With this week’s observance of Severe
Weather Awareness Week in Missouri, a statewide tornado drill is planned
for Tuesday, March 9, at approximately 1:30 p.m. At that time, the
Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will activate
the outdoor warning sirens across the county. We encourage schools,
businesses, hospitals and governmental offices to practice and conduct
their drills/emergency plans with staff, students, clients and
employees. 

“Figures from the National Weather Service indicate that three people
died and 11 were injured in storms that produced tornadoes in Missouri
last year,” says OEM Director Zim Schwartze. “While we are happy
those numbers are down from the year before, we know that tornadoes are
very likely in our area every year. Severe Weather Awareness Week
provides a perfect opportunity for everyone to plan and prepare for the
likelihood of severe thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes. Knowing
what to do or where to go when severe weather threatens can be the
difference between life and death.”

In light of the drill on Tuesday, Schwartze urges residents to be
vigilant and observant of severe weather situations. 

“While we try our best to notify the community by means of our
outdoor warning sirens, local media, NOAA weather radio and many other
methods of communication, we cannot emphasize enough that everyone
should make it their responsibility to keep informed. It’s critical
that action be taken, long before the storms arrive." 

In the event of threatening weather on March 9, the statewide tornado
drill will be postponed until Thursday, March 11, at 1:30 p.m. 

- 30 -
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