Experts share safety tips for National Preparedness Month

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Safety experts are sharing tips to stay prepared during National Preparedness Month.

The annual campaign has been in place since 2004 to encourage safety precautions for emergencies and natural disasters such as tornadoes and flooding.

In talking to Frank Till, the executive director of the St. Joseph Safety and Health Council, he advised residents to keep some key points in mind regarding preparation for natural disasters. 

"Sit down with your family and establish a safety and emergency plan," Till said. "Have evacuation routes, meeting routes in place to determine where we're going to meet if something goes bad and your separated. And also have first aid kits, emergency kits and water."

According to the National Weather Service, 120 tornadoes have been confirmed in Missouri and 44 in Kansas in 2025. The only states with more tornadoes than Missouri are Kentucky (155) and Texas (148).

Additionally, the Missouri Climate Center reported that Missouri experiences roughly 30 tornadoes per year.