UPDATE:  No Siren Test Tues, Mar 8

UPDATE: The state tornado drill has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m. due to possible severe weather on March 8.

Missouri's 2011 Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 7 - 11. The goal of this week is to save lives.

The National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency and local emergency management offices will conduct the 37th annual state tornado drill at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 as part of Missouri Severe Weather Awareness week.

Please note, if Missouri is experiencing statewide severe weather conditions, the drill will be moved to Thursday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m.

More details about Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week are on the State of Missouri website.

Remember:

Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately.

• An interior room without windows on the lowest floor is the safest shelter location.
• Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse. 
• Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building. 
• If you are driving,you should stop and take shelter in a nearby building.
• Overpasses are not safe. An overpass' under-the-girder-type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect. In some cases bridges have collapsed, killing and injuring those who are seeking shelter underneath them.
• If you are driving in a rural area and spot a tornado, driving away from the tornado's path may be the safest option if the tornado is far away. If the tornado is bearing down on you, stop your vehicle off the traveled section of the roadway and seek a sturdy shelter or lie flat in a ditch or other low spot. If you are outside, remember to cover your head with your arms, a coat or blanket to protect yourself from flying debris. Be prepared to move quickly in case the ditch fills with water. Also, remember that stopping near the roadway increases the chance of being struck by other motorists—so be alert and exercise caution.
• Never drive into standing water. It can take less than six inches of fast moving water to sweep a vehicle into a river or creek. If your vehicle does become stuck in rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground. Always heed signs that warn of flash flooding.

Helpful Web sites: 

NWS – St. Louis, Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=severeweek(Includes an overview, statistics and details about each day of Severe Weather Awareness Week: Monday, Preparedness Day; Tuesday, Tornado Safety Day; Wednesday, Flash Flood Safety Day; Thursday, Severe Thunderstorm Day; Friday, NOAA Weather Radio Day.)

NWS – St. Louis, Spring Weather Campaign: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=preparedness

NWS – Springfield, Spring Weather Campaign features coloring books, pamphlets and videos: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=floodawarenessweek

NWS – Springfield, Driver safety for flash flood and low water crossing information: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=ffrap_index  and http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=ffrap_lwc

Missouri Department of Transportation Travelers Map: http://www.modot.mo.gov/

Missouri's Ready In 3 program: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Ready_in_3/

FEMA's Animals in Emergencies for Pet Owners information: http://www.fema.gov/individual/animals.shtm