Tornado readiness is critical to Fort Leonard Wood's mission

Fort Leonard Wood officials are urging readiness ahead of Missouri's tornado season and note the installation has more than 700 safety shelters; the National Weather Service reported 16 tornado-related deaths in Missouri in 2025.

Fort Leonard Wood officials are urging the community to be prepared for Missouri's tornado season. Installation Emergency Manager Matthew Mertz said waiting until tornado sirens are blaring to decide on a course of action is "too late." The National Weather Service reported 16 Missourians died because of tornadoes in 2025. The installation previously experienced an EF-3 tornado on Dec. 31, 2010, that damaged training areas and housing. Key points: - Matthew Mertz, Fort Leonard Wood's Installation Emergency Manager, emphasized early preparation rather than waiting for sirens. - The National Weather Service reported 16 tornado-related deaths in Missouri in 2025, a level not seen since the 2011 Joplin EF-5 tornado. - Fort Leonard Wood says it has more than 700 tornado safety shelters on its ranges, with each shelter able to house up to 14 people. - The installation runs a Destructive Weather Mitigation Operations program and an ALERT! Mass Warning Notification System for faster local notifications. - State resources referenced include stormaware.mo.gov and the Ready in 3 program. Summary: Officials highlighted recent statewide tornado fatalities and past local tornado damage as reasons to emphasize readiness ahead of spring severe weather. The installation maintains shelter capacity and local notification programs to support the community and its mission. Undetermined at this time.