Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 2-6 and follows the deadliest tornadoes the state has seen in 14 years when 16 people died, according to the National Weather Service.

In preparation, the Gasconade County R-2 School District will participate at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) in a statewide tornado drill.

Superintendent Dr. Jerri Kay Hardy talked about how they’re preparing for severe weather.

“We routinely practice fire, tornado, and intruder drills,” said Hardy. “It is our responsibility to ensure students are prepared in an emergency.”

The district works with emergency services in the area.

“Our district is fortunate to have Mr. John Bunch, who serves as our Safety Coordinator and works closely with the Owensville Police Department and EMS,” said Hardy.

Owensville Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Arnold talked about tornado precautions.

“Owensville does not have any certified storm shelters,” said Arnold. “They just have to hunker down at home.”

Storm shelters are open by churches on occasion, but there’s not a permanent storm shelter in the city. He recommends that people have something prepared in case of high wind disasters.

“They should probably have an emergency kit prepared, a flashlight, blanket, batteries, candles, and drinking water,” said Arnold.”I have an emergency radio in my kit at home.”

Arnold made a comment about tornado safety.

“By the time they issue a tornado, you shouldn’t be out on the road anyway, you need to be in your safe place,” said Arnold.

A tornado last touched down in the Owensville area on June 7, 2014. The Republican, published a story in the June 18, 2014, edition about the storm. Gasconade County E-911 received a report of a brief touchdown in a field near Highway 28 east of Owensville near Soap Creek. No damage or injuries were reported during the storm. The tornado was classified as an EF1.

Owensville Police Chief Scott Griffith talked about what his department does during a tornado.

“If we had a major event such as a tornado that would activate our EMA with Jeff Arnold,” said Griffith, who has been the elected marshal the past three years. “We would secure the area and treat the area. We’ve had events come through, but never classified as a tornado.”

He mentioned what his department would do during a storm.

“We would be in a patrol car, but that would not be safe, but that’s what we would be (doing), once the tornado goes through,” said Griffith. “Our command would be on the scene.”

Gasconade County E-911 Director Michael Lockhart said that the department will be looking into their storm siren.

“I think going more in depth this year (looking into the siren), will be our biggest thing at our office,” said Lockhart.

There was a disaster in 1984, when Owensville saw a tornado wipe out 51 homes just south of town in the Landwehr Subdivision. There were no injuries, but the cost of damages was estimated to be around $4.5 million.

“Eighty three houses, mobile homes or other out buildings were damaged or destroyed,” the NWS reported. The storm was classified as an EF2.

The DPS talked about tips to stay safe during severe weather in a press release about Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week and the tornado drill.

The week in Missouri was created by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) following five federal disasters that swept across the state last year.

Each day of the week, NWS will post safety tips about and educational information about tornadoes, flash flooding and lightning. Wednesday will be a post about Tornado Safety.

“Tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. A tornado warning means seek shelter immediately because a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. The safest shelter location for tornadoes is generally an interior room without windows on the lowest floor of a sturdy structure, preferably in the basement. Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building an never seek shelter under an overpass – the wind tunnel effect and flying debris can be deadly. If you hear thunder, it means lightning is close enough to strike you. Leave elevated areas and avoid isolated trees. Seek shelter immediately in an enclosed building or vehicle,” wrote DPS.

They encourage Missourians to utilize the “Ready in 3” program. The steps are to create a plan, prepare a kit and listen for information.