Tornado Drills in Kansas and Missouri Raise Severe Weather Preparedness Awareness

Image Source: Unsplash Annual Statewide Tornado Drills In Kansas And Missouri: Outdoor Sirens Wailing To Raise Severe Weather Preparedness Awareness

[{"selector":"#anim-88efb368-50ab-4aac-baf1-fc125d92af4c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd40a5a0-cc21-4ad3-871d-630854556051","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 168.49670%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af146e85-100b-4025-9dd3-abc4bd9604fa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image Source: Unsplash Severe weather is a serious threat in the Kansas City area, which is why emergency management officials are urging residents to participate in the statewide tornado drill this week.

[{"selector":"#anim-d4565dba-1706-4a29-a01a-993ba3fc7028 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-13.839285494863903%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d4a641d3-648a-44be-921f-b5f825895c94","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-92af6912-ffab-4daf-8520-afb4ee0201d1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash The drill is part of National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which is designed to help people prepare for when severe weather strikes.

[{"selector":"#anim-b870c571-c55d-45a9-9303-cf1279002673 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d84e759-01fb-40d2-9761-725014c3d390","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86cb6732-85bd-4601-b699-52eba4acc43d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash Many communities in the Kansas City area will sound their outdoor warning sirens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning as part of the drill.

[{"selector":"#anim-c955371c-ee1f-4763-b17f-b96f610907a0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-12.543503252993856%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-082f4658-726d-4424-a847-e49e35be32c9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9a5900e-55b7-46d0-af18-487c257af60c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash The Johnson County Emergency Management deputy director, Dan Robeson, emphasized the importance of being ready for severe weather threats well ahead of a storm.

[{"selector":"#anim-b47a8388-10b5-4a53-a26f-2c3746341e59 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9e67dcc-9c51-44de-82f5-45e8e601eeaf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-19934b92-365b-48f9-a102-932ca8b25c2e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash During the drill, the Johnson County will also test its NotifyJoCo mass notification system, which sends out alerts to people who have signed up via phone call, text message or email.

[{"selector":"#anim-29b114a8-6b88-40d1-b852-a4920ff5325e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5204973f-22a4-4e29-8875-42fbc9254b00","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a5cb5d7e-4796-47f7-bf4c-dc8795c8c89c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash Kansas City will also participate in the drill, with its outdoor sirens and text alert system being activated.

[{"selector":"#anim-1ce71098-40be-4261-9630-c4039a19f1ef [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a6ae9b4-c9f1-4780-ac8d-e6c3aacd11ca","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a8946b3-1764-4c0f-ba33-493a4b60f84d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash The National Weather Service is encouraging everyone, including schools and businesses, to participate in the drill and practice taking cover wherever they are.

[{"selector":"#anim-27d15968-dc78-4636-84da-582d3f9edc86 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf6cd75f-3ed2-4751-8397-661f5848560a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ba44070-6c6c-4527-a52a-4d3b2e143de6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 154.49736%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash The Lee’s Summit Fire Department will also be participating in the drill by announcing the exercise over the school and public building weather receivers and sending a message to Nixle.com subscribers.

[{"selector":"#anim-c8d431fe-063c-4a67-83dc-c4b2ec6e4e6b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.809924666167688%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-752f1bb1-bf30-41ed-b8a9-79ccc91e52ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d2c34ce8-29f2-4afe-aec3-32f7e699b181","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash The fire department advises people to find shelter in an interior room without windows on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure during severe weather.

[{"selector":"#anim-fd973044-0e06-4c61-b0a8-1fbe917c403a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4151039-1ae2-4597-8f08-55afb5d43dc9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a0b162f-c4c3-4607-8beb-df8427cfcf19","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash Large areas like cafeterias or gymnasiums should be avoided due to the chance of the roof collapsing.

[{"selector":"#anim-9b99c64b-f18d-424d-9f0f-2abcdcf43177 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d934e2d3-9609-422b-8b2f-ea9cba870e16","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce45414e-d7a9-4801-8b6b-1e089d9ca655","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash Missouri’s Stormaware.mo.gov website and the Greater Kansas City Region’s Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee’s website offer useful severe weather safety tips.

[{"selector":"#anim-2940721d-f764-4bb4-922a-6f3e69ce6bef [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-200803a3-90b5-41d3-88ab-b11f050725e9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-14ddfadb-cff8-494e-adee-6c17a45f656f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 154.49736%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash Meanwhile, in St. Louis County, residents may hear tornado sirens going off on Monday and Tuesday morning, but there's no need to worry as it's just part of a test of the outdoor warning system.

[{"selector":"#anim-2b4d2ce4-06d7-44c7-9901-0edf2cb8e900 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01bd28f7-7d27-4018-bd4e-046ee7d1bad6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-024f7327-c312-482f-8c1c-ee53e315bfc7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash The county performs monthly testing of its 204 sirens, but this month is different as it coincides with annual statewide emergency testing for Missouri and Illinois.

[{"selector":"#anim-9951e318-d569-4bdb-a051-8c2c8ca38ddd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.389948729745175%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c002ec7f-1b99-49cd-a9f9-17062f831ca1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98e9cb7c-3a9f-48eb-a404-cbfc4419be5d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Unsplash The National Weather Service advises the public to take cover whenever they hear tornado sirens and to tune into local news or weather radio for more information.