Fire Department News

Statewide Tornado Drill and Severe Weather Awareness Week

The Statewide Tornado Drill is on Wednesday, March 4, at 11:00 am, weather permitting. The City of Lee's Summit will activate the outdoor warning systems, school receivers, and LS Aware for the drill. It's up to you to determine the best notification method for you and your family and where you will take shelter. Here are some essential tips to keep you prepared for severe weather:

• Follow local forecasts anytime severe weather is possible. Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts in case one fails or if severe weather strikes overnight. A NOAA all-hazard weather radio is an excellent notification method at home, and it's a good time to sign up for LS Aware for severe weather notifications on your phone LSaware.net.
• Create a family emergency plan to stay safe, and remember to include all pets when building an emergency kit and stocking up on supplies. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is also essential to know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find.
• A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. Therefore, it's essential to be ready to act if it becomes necessary. A warning means to seek shelter immediately because a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar, causing imminent danger to life and property.
• The safest shelter location for tornadoes is generally an interior room without windows on the lowest floor of the sturdy structure, preferably in the basement. Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium, or any other large, open room, as the roof might collapse.
Use Severe Weather Preparedness Week to learn about all the hazards weather in Missouri offers and how to prepare and protect yourself. https://stormaware.mo.gov/