Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week Kicks Off

State and national officials encourage Missourians to learn about severe weather safety

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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This week is Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week, with each day focused on a different type of severe weather. Officials are urging residents to follow local forecasts and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. A coordinated effort between multiple agencies also led to the safe recovery of a missing child in Southeast Missouri.

Why it matters

Severe weather can pose a serious threat to public safety, so it's important for Missourians to be prepared. This week-long event aims to educate residents on the different types of severe weather and how to protect themselves. The successful recovery of the missing child also highlights the importance of coordinated emergency response efforts.

The details

Missouri's annual Severe Weather Preparedness Week includes 'Receive Weather Information Day' today, 'Lightning Safety Day' on Tuesday, 'Tornado Safety Day' on Wednesday, 'Hail and Wind Safety Day' on Thursday, and 'Flood Safety Day' on Friday. The state's annual Statewide Tornado Drill will also be held on Wednesday at 11 am. Officials are urging residents to follow local forecasts and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. In a separate incident, a coordinated effort between multiple agencies, including Ozark National Scenic Riverways Rangers, Ellsinore Fire Department, and local community members, led to the safe recovery of a missing child in Southeast Missouri's Carter County.

  • Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week runs from March 2-6, 2026.
  • The state's annual Statewide Tornado Drill will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 11 am.

The players

Missouri State and National Officials

State and national officials are using this week to encourage Missourians to learn more about severe weather and how to protect themselves.

Carter County Sheriff's Office

The Carter County Sheriff's Office coordinated the search and recovery effort for the missing child in Southeast Missouri.

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What’s next

The state's annual Statewide Tornado Drill will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 11 am.

The takeaway

This week's events highlight the importance of severe weather preparedness and coordinated emergency response efforts in Missouri. By educating residents and practicing safety drills, officials hope to keep Missourians safe during the upcoming severe weather season.