[Press Release] : Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 7 - 11

[Press Releases]

Contact:  Zim Schwartze, OEM Director                          For
Immediate Release:
                 573-874-7400                                          
             March 3, 2011


SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK 
MARCH 7 - 11, 2011

	Although the ‘Blizzard of 2011’ is still fresh in
everyone’s mind, the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency
Management (OEM) is looking ahead to spring and the weather
possibilities the new season will bring.  Your local OEM, the State
Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Weather Service
(NWS) will observe “Severe Weather Awareness Week” from March 7 –
11, 2011.  The week is designed to help individuals, businesses,
schools, governmental entities and families develop and review their
plans in the event of severe weather. 

	“With warmer weather and spring come the inevitable
thunderstorms,” says OEM Director Zim Schwartze.  “Thunderstorms can
spawn high winds, lightning, flooding triggered by heavy rainfall, hail,
and tornadoes.  It’s important to be ready for everything that
thunderstorms could throw at us. As with any kind of disaster threat,
preparedness is the key.  Knowing what to do or where to go when severe
weather threatens can be the difference between life and death.”

                  Since 2004, 448 tornadoes have been reported in
Missouri.  Those tornadoes have killed 51 people, injured 572 and left
millions of dollars in damage.  

	The highlight of Severe Weather Awareness Week will be a
statewide tornado drill planned for Tuesday, March 8th, at 1:30 p.m.  At
that time, the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management will
activate the outdoor warning sirens across the county, schools will
conduct drills with staff and students, and businesses will practice
their emergency plans.  Please note that this is not the regularly
scheduled monthly activation of the sirens as that occurs the first
Wednesday of every month, weather permitting. In the event of severe
weather occurring on March 8th, the statewide tornado drill will be
postponed until Thursday, March 10th, at 1:30 p.m.




Scott Smith
Public Information Officer
Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management
(573) 874-7400
 
Get Emergency Alerts and Community Advisories from OEM via e-mail or
text message.  Sign up today at nixle.com