[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Severe Weather Awareness Week March 12th - 16th, 2012

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Severe Weather Awareness Week March 12th - 16th, 2012

COLUMBIA, MO (March 8, 2012) - The annual observation of "Severe Weather Awareness Week" takes place March 12th through the 16th in Missouri.  The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) strongly encourages everyone to use the week as an opportunity to re-examine and update their disaster preparedness plans.  

"Events of the past year have served as a wake-up call for all of us to not take any severe weather threat lightly," says OEM Director Zim Schwartze.  "The tragedy in Joplin less than one year ago and the severe weather and tornadoes that hit southern Missouri and the Midwest just last week reminds us of the importance of being ready.  There's no way to prevent a tornado, but we can greatly reduce the risk of injury and death by being properly prepared."

Schwartze encourages individuals, families, businesses, schools, government agencies and hospitals to review their disaster plans, which include knowing how to prepare for a severe weather event, how to protect yourself and others during the event, and what to do in the aftermath of a disaster.  

Severe Weather Awareness Week is a cooperative effort of the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management, the State Emergency Management Agency, National Weather Service and other agencies across the state.  The week's activities will include the annual statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 13th, at approximately 1:30 p.m.  At that time, if the weather permits, 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.

The Office of Emergency Management has a number of publications to help prepare for severe weather.  Anyone interested in these publications can find links to them, as well as information on all types of threats, hazards and preparation, on the OEM website www.gocolumbiamo.com/EM, or by contacting the office at (573) 874-7400.


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