City to Test Sirens During Statewide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 2

(Joplin, MO) – Severe Weather Awareness Week will be recognized from March 1 to 5 to help Missourians learn more about potential severe weather and how to prepare for possible weather conditions in upcoming months.

The National Weather Service (NWS), State Emergency Management Agency, and Keith Stammer, Joplin and Jasper County’s Emergency Manager, urge Joplin citizens and all Missourians to use this week’s resources to learn about severe weather and how to protect themselves in various scenarios.

The highlight of the week is the statewide tornado drill, which will be initiated by the NWS at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 2. Should hazardous weather be a threat, the drill will be postponed until 10:00 am on March 4.

This tornado drill will be observed by the City of Joplin by the sounding of the warning sirens for a full three minutes, the same amount that would occur in an actual warning. In addition to the City’s procedures during the drill, the National Weather Service and the State Emergency Management Agency will be conducting tests using various news mediums and alert systems. This test will cause NOAA Weather Radios to activate.

During the annual Statewide Tornado Drill, citizens are reminded to practice taking shelter. If a tornado shelter is not available, the safest location is a windowless basement or an interior room in the lowest level of a building. Put as many walls between you and the tornado. Other safe locations for businesses and schools include interior stairways and tornado safe rooms.

As this drill kick off the 2021 Severe Weather Awareness Week, observed from March 1 through 5, Stammer reminds everyone to be proactive and prepare for weather safety. Preparing today may make the difference in surviving the storms to come this spring. He also encourages people to seek news from appropriate notification systems and reminds the public about the warning sirens’ purpose.

“The sirens provide a warning for anyone who is out of doors to go indoors, if possible, and take shelter,” he said. “People indoors cannot always expect to hear the outdoor warning sirens.”

Stammer encourages residents to utilize a NOAA Weather Radio that provides a warning signal when the area is under a watch or warning. “The advantage of having a weather radio is that you hear the alerts directly from the National Weather Service, and are kept up to date about the current warning status.” Weather radios are available at local retailers.

For information on Joplin’s siren activation policy, please click here.

In addition to the drill, the NWS will highlight preparedness on the following days:

  • Monday, March 1 — Preparedness Day
  • Tuesday, March 2 — Tornado Safety Day
  • Wednesday, March 3 —Lightning Safety Day
  • Thursday, March 4 — Severe Thunderstorm Day
  • Friday, March 5 — Flood Safety Day

For additional background on these topics and more, click here.

Reference:

Lynn Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204

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