Issues With Tuesday’s Weather Test

Severe weather awareness week continues on Wednesday, with lightning safety awareness day. Steve Runnels, with the National Weather Service in Springfield, says if you are outside and hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck by lightning………

Friday is Flood Safety Awareness Day. On average, Runnels says flash floods are the biggest severe weather killer in the Ozarks……..

Thursday will be Severe Thunderstorm Awareness Day. Storms do not have to be tornadic to cause significant damage. That was on full display during the May 4th, 2020, severe thunderstorm that caused extensive damage in Lebanon.

Runnels said that on Tuesday, Phones across Missouri received a message claiming a “tornado warning in your area” around 10 a.m. The alert from the National Weather Service confused many since it did not indicate it was a test.

In every test warning, the National Weather Service provides, the word “test” is sprinkled throughout. Unfortunately, the test messaging within the cell was deleted, so, unfortunately, people were surprised by it. Runnels said that an error was found in the new software the weather service is using and that problem has been fixed.

In Laclede County, Emergency Management Director Randy Rowe said about 80 percent of the sirens in the county worked during the test and that crews are working to fix the problems of the non-working sirens. He said they would test the sirens next Wednesday.