FENTON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
The coming of spring and warming of temperatures feel nice but is a reminder that the dangers of severe weather are returning to the area. As part of Missouri's Severe Weather Awareness Week, a statewide tornado drill was held Thursday afternoon at 1:30. Not only was this the time to see if all the area sirens were working, but also to see if area safety plans were ready to go, especially in schools.
The goal of severe weather awareness week is simple: save lives. The best way to do this is by being prepared. Schools across Missouri have tornado safety plans and Thursday's statewide drill was a chance to practice.
"Today, the only thing the teachers know is that we have a statewide drill. That's all we've told them. We want to see how they react," says Rockwood South Middle School Asst. Principal Gary Ujka.
And react they did. When the alert sounded in the halls, students got down on their knees and cover their heads with their hands, either in hallways or interior rooms. Teachers monitored their movements, knowing how important practice like this can be.
"A lot of times they laugh and they want to think it's a joke, but you really need to enforce the seriousness of it," says Business teacher Liz Kincaid.
Knowing what to do, or where to go when severe weather threatens can be the difference between life and death.
"We never know when we are going to have one during the school day," says Ujka.
At Rockwood South Middle School, Thursday's drill was a success. But their will be more drills in the future, more practice staying safe.
The goal of severe weather awareness week is simple: save lives. The best way to do this is by being prepared. Schools across Missouri have tornado safety plans and Thursday's statewide drill was a chance to practice.
"Today, the only thing the teachers know is that we have a statewide drill. That's all we've told them. We want to see how they react," says Rockwood South Middle School Asst. Principal Gary Ujka.
And react they did. When the alert sounded in the halls, students got down on their knees and cover their heads with their hands, either in hallways or interior rooms. Teachers monitored their movements, knowing how important practice like this can be.
"A lot of times they laugh and they want to think it's a joke, but you really need to enforce the seriousness of it," says Business teacher Liz Kincaid.
Knowing what to do, or where to go when severe weather threatens can be the difference between life and death.
"We never know when we are going to have one during the school day," says Ujka.
At Rockwood South Middle School, Thursday's drill was a success. But their will be more drills in the future, more practice staying safe.
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