A statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon … sirens will sound and everyone is urged to participate.

Jim Kramper is the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Tornado siren Center in St. Louis.

Kramper says the record year for tornadoes was in 2006, when 102 were documented. Last year was a close second — 93 tornadoes struck Missouri, killing 19 people. He says the goal of today’s drill is to get people prepared for actual severe weather, which will result in saving lives down the road.

Peak tornado months are April, May and June, but Kramper says the fact of the matter is that in the Midwest, anything can happen at anytime. 

Kramper says everyone needs to brush up on what to do when dangerous weather approaches; some commonly held myths about safety measures have been dispelled.

Click on the audio link to listen to the interview.

Jessica Machetta interviews Jim Kramper, National Weather Service [Listen/download MP3]