November is Peak Tornado Season in Mississppi

NW Rankin Elementary students huddle in hallways during statewide tornado drill

Mississippi is currently entering into its peak month for severe weather. Thousands of students participated in a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday to learn ways to keep themselves safe when severe weather hits. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

Anitra Hollis is Assistant Principal at Northwest Rankin Elementary School. She says tornado drills and other preventative measures serve a two-fold purpose.

Hollis: Making sure that they are aware that it's a safety precaution and those kids, the things that they are learning here, our goal is that they'll be able to take those things and apply it in the home as well.

A lesson that 10 year old Drew Hill has learned well. Even using it at home to make sure that he and his family remained safe during a recent storm.

Drew Hill: We have been in a warning and we did go to our Mom's closet and get my dog and stuff and try to keep safe.

Tornado safety is not the only type of emergency students discuss in class. Across the hall, Drew's little brother Matt has learned about a variety of situations where emergency measures need to be taken.

Matt Hill: Intruder safety, fire safety and tornado drill safety

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials encourage families, schools, and businesses to hold drills to make sure that they know what to do during severe weather and any other emergency.

Matt Hill: Leave all your stuff and get to the quickest exit possible.