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Join the NWS and Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and Kansas Division of Emergency Management during Severe Weather Awareness Week March 12-16 to promote severe weather safety.
Severe Thunderstorms | Tornadoes | Lighting | Flood | Statistics | Products
State emergency management and the National Weather Service (NWS) will conduct a Statewide Severe Weather Tornado Drill at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Every school, citizen and business is encouraged to participate in the drill by practicing seeking secure, save shelter from a "tornado". In the event of inclement weather, the test day will be postponed to Thursday, March 15th, also at 1:30 p.m
The NWS in Springfield Missouri will issue a test tornado warning as part of the drill. Local warning sirens, NOAA Weather Radio, and the Emergency Alert System will be activated upon receipt of this warning, to signal the start of the drill. The "TOR" code for EAS and NOAA Weather Radio will be used again this year to simulate what would occur in the event of an actual tornado warning. Area residents should treat the drill as if it were an actual tornado emergency. The purpose of the annual drill is to test everyone’s readiness for life-threatening severe weather events such as tornadoes, flash floods, large hail, and damaging winds.
The Missouri Ozarks and extreme southeast Kansas experience a variety of severe weather including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail, and flash flooding. Residents are encouraged to use this week, and the annual test day, to review their severe weather safety plans. Practice what you would do in a real tornado emergency.
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Severe thunderstorms produce a variety of weather hazards including tornadoes, large hail, damaging straight line winds, flooding, and lightning. Now is the time to review Severe Weather Safety Information.
Severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and large hail can be a threat to life and property. Damaging straight line winds are much more common than tornadoes and can be just as deadly.
Those caught outdoors during a severe thunderstorm are particularly vulnerable. Boaters and campers that enjoy the recreational opportunities of the Ozarks should be especially alert to the potential of severe storms. High winds associated with severe thunderstorms can strike suddenly. Winds in excess of 70 mph can easily capsize boats and put campers at risk due to falling trees.
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Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. Why? The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. 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 a flooded road.
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One of the primary flood hazards and causes of flood related deaths across the Ozarks is driving into low water crossings. Every year a few adventurous drivers attempt to cross flooded roads and fail. Learn more about Low Water Crossings.
Whether you are driving or walking, if you come to a flooded road, Turn Around Don’t DrownTM. You will not know the depth of the water nor the condition of the road under the water.
 
Water weighs 62.4 lbs. per cubic foot and typically flows downstream at 6 to 12 mph. When a vehicle stalls in the water, the water’s momentum is transferred to the car. For each foot the water rises, 500 lbs. of lateral force is applied to the automobile.
But the biggest factor is bouyancy. For each foot the water rises up the side of the car, the car displaces 1500 lbs. of water. In effect, the automobile weighs 1500 lbs. less for each foot the water rises. Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles!!!
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At any given moment, there are 1,800 thunderstorms in progress somewhere on Earth. This amounts to 16 million storms a year! In the United States, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year. While lightning can be fascinating to watch, it is also extremely dangerous.
In Missouri there have been 86 deaths attributed to lightning from 1959 - 2002, an average of 2 deaths per year. Missouri ranks 17th nationally in lightning deaths per state.
Tragedies in school sponsored athletics are unfortunately a growing trend as well. When thunderstorms threaten, coaches and officials must not let the desire to start or finish an athletic activity or event cloud their judgment when the safety of participants and spectators is in jeopardy.
For more lightning facts and safety information go to the NWS Lightning Awareness page.
For more information about the impact of severe weather, go to NWS Natural Hazards Statistics page.
Take a look at the Natural Hazard Risk Assessment for your county.
Severe Weather Statistics for Missouri
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2006
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2005
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2004
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2003
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2002
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2001
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2000
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Tornadoes
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Total
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143
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40
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69
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84
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29
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39
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27
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Deaths
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13
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1
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7
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19
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4
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1
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0
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Injuries
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275
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9
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27
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171
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56
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0
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0
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Flash Floods or Flooding
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Deaths
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2
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3
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1
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1
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3
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3
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2
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Injuries
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2
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0
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1
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0
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7
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6
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0
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Lightning
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Deaths
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0
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2
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2
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1
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0
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0
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0
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Injuries
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2
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5
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50
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10
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1
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36
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6
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Thunderstorm Winds
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Deaths
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2
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0
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10
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21
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12
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4
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4
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Injuries
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44
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5
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78
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181
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65
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51
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27
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Combined Totals
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Deaths
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17
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6
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10
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21
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12
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4
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4
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Injuries
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323
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19
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78
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181
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65
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51
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27
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Tornado Deaths County by County from 1950-2006 (pdf file)
Tornadoes County by County 1950 - 2006 (pdf file)
Did you know that your NWS in Springfield, Mo. offers a wealth of information to alert you of potential or imminent severe weather and flooding? Below is a list of severe weather products, as well the product descriptions and intended response.
 Weather Briefing Pages
Radar
Severe WeatherBriefing Page
Emergency Management & Spotter page
Comprehensive product and services guide
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Severe Weather Warnings and Outlooks
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Product
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Description
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Awareness & Action Level
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| Hazardous Weather Outlook |
Issued at least twice daily at 6 AM and 1 PM to alert you of potential weather hazards. |
Stay tuned to later statements and be alert for the development of hazardous weather. |
| Severe Weather Watches |
Issued when conditions become favorable for the development of severe weather. |
Prepare and take necessary precautions in the event a warning is issued or severe weather is observed. |
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning |
Issued when severe weather (3/4" hail or larger and/or winds in excess of 58 mph) is imminent. |
Take immediate action to save lives and property. |
| Tornado Warning |
Issued when a tornado is imminent and has been spotted or indicated by doppler radar. |
Take immediate action to save lives and property. |
| Severe Weather Statement |
Issued to update the status of severe weather warnings and give specific details on the location and severity of storms. |
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| Local Storm Reports |
Issued to inform you of actual severe weather occurrences. |
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Flood Warnings and Outlooks
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Product
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Description
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Awareness & Action Level
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| Flood Potential Outlook |
Issued 36 to 72 hours before potential flood events. |
Stay tuned to later statements and be alert for the development of flooding. |
| Flood Watch |
Issued when conditions become favorable for flooding. |
Prepare and take necessary precautions in the event a warning is issued or flooding is observed. |
| Flash Flood Warning |
Issued when rapid and life threatening water rises are imminent. |
Take immediate action to save lives and property. |
| Flood Warning |
Issued for main stem river flooding or over land flooding for an extended period of time. |
Take immediate action to save lives and property. |
| Flash Flood & Flood Statements |
Issued to update the status of warnings and watches, and give specific details on the locations and severity of flooding. |
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