Weather Service countywide tornado drill to be held March 10

Dexter Fire Chief Al Banken said the tornado drill will take less than 15 minutes to perform. Once the weather announcement is made, citizens are asked to seek shelter in the lowest level (basement if possible) interior room away from the windows, Banken said. Schools and businesses might seek shelter in basements, hallways or under staircases. The drill also highlights the importance of accounting for everyone in their home, class or office, Banken stated.

Stoddard County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director John Prance said the drill will include all the warning systems in the county. Prance said the Paducah office of the National Weather Service (NWS) recently held a storm spotter class in Dexter for area residents, which was sponsored by the county EMA. He said 30 people attended the class.

"This exercise reminds citizens, schools and businesses to identify safe shelter locations when tornado warnings are issued. Over Mother's Day weekend in 2008, a tornado touched down and destroyed properties in a 20 mile path cross Jasper, Newton and Barry Counties in Arkansas," said SEMA Acting Director John H. Campbell. "Sixteen people lost their lives and more than 200 were injured."

National Weather Service offices in Springs, St. Louis, Paducah, Davenport and Memphis offices will initiate the statewide drill exercise, Prance said.

During the week of March 16-20 the NWS will focus on public awareness dealing with safety during flooding. The campaign is called "Turn Around, Don't Drown." The Missouri Water Patrol and local swift water rescue teams put their lives at risk to save citizens who wait too long to evacuate their flooded property or motorists who ignored barricades and drove their vehicles into floodwaters.

In conjunction with the focus on flooding safety, citizens who live in communities that participate in the National Food Insurance Program (NFIP) should consider purchasing a flood insurance policy to supplement a home owner or business insurance policy, Campbell said.

Banken offers the following safety tips during a severe weather season.

* Tornado watch means watch the sky;

* Tornado warning means seek shelter immediately.

* Safe shelter locations at home, school or work should be an interior room with no windows on the lowest possible level. Those at a school should not go to a cafeteria, gymnasium or large interior open space because the roof might collapse. Residents in a mobile home should leave it immediately and seek other shelter.

* Motorists should take shelter in a nearby building, in a ditch or low-lying area away from a car. Remember to cover your head with your arms, coat or blanket to protect yourself from flying debris. Never try to out-drive a tornado.

* Overpasses are not safe for motorists. The under-the-girder-type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect. This may cause the winds to be stronger and can also cause the overpass to collect debris.