The 41st annual Missouri Severe Weather Drill is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at 1:30 pm CST. At that time, all National Weather Service (NWS) offices serving Missouri will send out a test tornado warning. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has granted a waiver for the State to use the Emergency Alert System (EAS) code for a tornado warning; TOR. Thus the warning will trigger all warning systems that are programmed to activate on the reception of the TOR code. The test tornado warning will be clearly marked as a test.
The NWS will do everything possible to conduct the drill on March 3, 2015. However, if widespread weather conditions exist across the state that would make it inappropriate to conduct the drill, it will be postponed until Thursday, March 5, 2015, also at 1:30 pm CST. The drill offers an excellent time for everybody to test their weather warning receiving and dissemination capabilities. It is better to discover and fix problems in the system now than have it fail during a real tornado event.
The drill also offers an opportunity for everyone, including schools, businesses, hospitals, and people in their homes, to test their severe weather plans. Having a thorough knowledge of your severe weather procedures and practicing them can be the difference between life and death in a real tornado situation.
The NWS would like to thank the State Emergency Management Agency, local emergency managers, and the Missouri Broadcasters Association for their support and help in disseminating information about the drill. It takes a team effort; Federal, State, Local, and private entities, to make the warning system work and ensure all Missourians can stay safe from severe weather.
Annual Missouri Severe Weather Drill, March 3, 2015
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