JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State emergency management officials remain weather aware 365 days a year, and they are asking you to do the same.

During an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Missouri’s Emergency Operation Center Monday, Katy Linnenerink with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said the department is always ready for any type of disaster, especially weather-related events.

“As we start to approach the spring and summer months, storms, tornadoes and flooding tend to be a bit more frequent,” Linnenerink said. “Though they can certainly happen any time of year.”

It was a message echoed by SEMA brass.

“It’s incredibly important to learn about the risks and prepare before severe weather strikes,” State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard said in a statement. “Take time to understand the different hazards, have an emergency plan in place and review the steps you’ll take to stay safe.”

While the agency and its 82 employees are focused heavily on the four key aspects of emergency management—mitigation, response, recovery and preparedness—this week in Missouri is all about severe weather preparedness.

“We really take this week to encourage Missourians to educate themselves and inform them of some of the risks,” she said. “Just be prepared and have a plan and know how you will protect yourself and what to do to stay safe during severe weather.”

With snow, rain and thunderstorms in the forecast this week, constantly monitoring the wild swings in Missouri weather is itself a full-time job for SEMA.

“SEMA is primarily a coordinating agency, meaning that we assist local emergency response when they become overwhelmed,” Linnenerink said. “So we help with the coordination of resources for local communities when needed, or is requested like during severe weather.”

But their role in public safety is multifaceted, with divisions specifically centered on the main foundations of emergency management.

“Our mission is to help Missourians prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters,” Linnenerink told FOX 2 News.

In conjunction with Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri, SEMA is coordinating a statewide test of all outdoor warning sirens at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

With all hazards in mind, the agency will also be hosting an upcoming earthquake summit in southeastern Missouri on March 18.

SEMA also shared several tips regarding staying safe during severe weather:

• Follow local forecasts any time severe weather is anticipated. Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts in case one fails or severe weather strikes overnight.
• Create a family emergency plan to stay safe, and remember to include pets when building an emergency kit and stocking up on supplies. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it’s also important to know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
• A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. It’s important to be ready to act quickly if it becomes necessary. A tornado warning means seek shelter immediately because a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar causing imminent danger to life and property.
• The safest shelter location for tornadoes is generally an interior room without windows on the lowest floor of sturdy structure, preferably in the basement. Do not seek shelter in a cafeteria, gymnasium or other large open room because the roof might collapse. Immediately leave a mobile home to seek shelter in a nearby building and never seek shelter under an overpass – the dangerous wind tunnel effect combined with flying debris can be deadly.
• If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. Leave elevated areas and avoid isolated trees. Seek shelter immediately in an enclosed building or vehicle.
• The safest place to be when there is high winds or hail is indoors. Avoid driving to prevent injuries or vehicle damage. Consider all downed power lines as live.
• Never drive into standing water, even if it appears shallow. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can cause a car to lose control or float. Rapidly rising water may engulf the vehicle and sweep it away. Murky water can hide hazards including dangerous debris and road damage.

For resources on how to prepare for severe weather, visit https://stormaware.mo.gov/preparing-for-a-tornado/.