The Cooper County Emergency Management Agency will be participating in the National Weather Service’s Kansas and Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week from March 4-8, 2024.
Monday, March 4, “Having a Plan”. Residents, Businesses, and Industry should have a plan on how to receive severe weather information, where to shelter, and what supplies to have. Here are some tips for making a plan.
Have a means of receiving emergency weather information. This can be a weather radio, cell phone or battery-operated radio. Remember Outdoor Warning Sirens are for warnings when you are outside. Not for when you are inside a building or vehicle. Be weather aware and keep track of your local weather forecast. Many mobile apps are available to gather this information.
Make a plan and practice it. Think of it as a STORM.
-Seek shelter in the lowest central location of the building.
-Turn away from windows and doors in a sitting crouched position.
-Obtain a count of people in your location and establish a leader if possible.
-Remain calm and assess available weather information.
-Monitor conditions and return to normal activities as conditions warrant.
Tuesday, March 5, Lighting Safety: When thunder roars, go indoors. Per the NWS, lighting strikes in the US about 25 million times a year. Although most lightning occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of the year. Lightning kills about 20 people in the US each year, and hundreds more are severely injured. If you can hear thunder, you can be struck.
Wednesday, March 6, Tornado Drill: The Tornado Drill is scheduled for March 6 at 11 a.m. Residents and businesses should treat the drill as if it were an actual Tornado Warning. The purpose of the drill is to test everyone’s readiness for life-threatening severe weather events such as tornados, flash floods, large hail, and damaging winds. The Cooper County EMA will sound the Outdoor Warning Sirens for the drill. In the event of actual threatening weather, we will not set off the warning sirens. The NWS encourages everyone to consider participation by simply sheltering-in-place or discussing sheltering option/plans among co-workers/family members.
Thursday, March 7, Wind and Hail: Severe thunderstorms produce a variety of weather hazards including tornadoes, large hail, damaging straight line winds, flooding, and lighting. Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging winds in excess of 60mph and large hail can be a treat to life and property. Damaging straight line winds are munch more common that tornadoes and can be just as deadly. Those caught outdoors during a severe thunderstorm are particularly vulnerable. Boaters and campers should be especially alert to the potential for severe storms. These winds during a thunderstorm can strike suddenly. Winds more than 60mph can easily capsize boats and put campers at risk due to falling trees. Those outside should seek shelter immediately when a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued. Stay alert for severe storms and have a means of getting weather alerts.
Friday, March 8, Flooding: Typically, flooding results in more weather-related fatalities than any other thunderstorm related hazard. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive across flooded roads. When flooded, TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN! Six inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry away an adult. 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car. 18-24 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most large SUVs, vans, and trucks. Never try to wade, swim, or drive in flood waters.