Full Notification

The National Weather Service holds Severe Weather Awareness Week every year to encourage citizens to be prepared for severe weather emergencies year-round. This year, St. Peters encourages residents to participate in Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 3-7, 2014, to learn severe weather safety including how to prepare for tornadoes, lightning, floods and more.

There will be a statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 4, at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this test—whether at home, school or work, it’s important to practice seeking secure, safe shelter from severe weather. Residents are also encouraged to review their severe weather safety plans during this week.

Severe Weather Tips:
• When you hear a Tornado Warning, you should take cover in your home's basement or the most secure room you can find in the center of your home or any other building you might be in. If you live in a mobile home, move to a more substantial structure until the threat passes.
• Be sure to listen for weather updates on a NOAA Weather Radio that broadcasts emergency weather information directly from the National Weather Service, log on to weather.gov, or tune in to your favorite local TV or radio stations for weather updates.
• If you’re in a vehicle, seek shelter in a nearby substantial building. If you have no alternative, abandon your vehicle and hide in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head. The National Weather Service says that most deaths from a tornado occur because of the flying debris and head injuries.
• A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been sighted or that the National Weather Service has seen signs on radar that indicate a thunderstorm is capable of producing a tornado at any minute. When you hear a Tornado Warning, take immediate life-saving action. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for tornado development, and that you should prepare for life-saving action.
• Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it’s raining. That's about the distance you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance and should seek safe shelter immediately. When thunder roars, go indoors!
• More than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. Turn around, don’t drown!

Learn more about emergency preparedness at the City of St. Peters’ website at www.stpetersmo.net. Click on the “Emergency Notifications Sign Up” link on the left-hand side of the home page to sign up for urgent messages from the City of St. Peters. You can also find more information about severe weather at stormaware.mo.gov.