Latest news with #MissouriStateEmergencyManagementAgency
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA to perform damage assessments in five counties in the Ozarks
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that FEMA will be coming to five southwest Missouri counties and perform joint preliminary damage assessments (PDAs) for storm damage caused by severe storms, flooding, hail and strong winds from May 23 to May 26. In a press release, Gov. Kehoe says FEMA, SEMA and local emergency management officals will do PDAs in Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon and Webster counties. Other counties may be added later depending on damage information from local officals. Starting Tuesday, June 10, three teams will determine whether the verified damage in those five counties is enough for public assistance to be requested through FEMA. Through public assistance, local governments and certain nonprofits can receive compensation for emergency response and recovery costs, like public infrastructure and debris removal. FEMA: Trump approves Missouri disaster declarations for March tornadoes 'The long Memorial Day weekend brought four consecutive days of damaging severe storms and flooding to southwest Missouri and led to the destruction of public infrastructure and emergency response costs that are well-beyond the capacity of Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon, and Webster counties,' Governor Kehoe said. 'Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) personnel have been working with local officials as they have been preparing initial damage estimates and we believe the destruction requires joint reviews by FEMA, SEMA, and our local partners, in anticipation for a request for a federal disaster declaration.' Missourians who have damage are encouraged to contact their insurance company and file a claim. Those who are still in need are recommended to contact United Way by dialing 211 or the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Other disaster recovery resources can be found at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
16-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Tornado threat moves to southern U.S. after severe storms kill at least 31, unleashes winds and fans wildfires
The threat of tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, causing at least 31 fatalities in several states, injuries and widespread damage. On Saturday evening, three people were reported dead, along with multiple injuries in Tylertown, Mississippi, as multiple tornadoes swept through the state, Tylertown Police Chief Jordan Hill said. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said on social media Saturday that tornadoes had been reported in six counties overnight. Extreme weather conditions — including hurricane-force winds — are forecast to affect an area home to more than 100 million people. Winds gusting up to 80 mph were predicted from the Canadian border to Texas, threatening blizzard conditions in colder northern areas and wildfire risk in warmer, drier areas to the south. The most serious tornado threats were to eastern Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama, and the western parts of the Florida Panhandle and Georgia, the NWS said. At least 12 fatalities have been reported in Missouri, according to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. The deaths came as a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said that first responders, volunteers and faith-based partners "worked tirelessly" through the night "in response to a series of devastating tornadoes and severe storms, and before that, dangerous and damaging fires." In Oklahoma, the governor said one person died on the road, presumably due to smoke. In Arkansas, officials reported three fatalities in Independence County, and 29 people were reported injured in eight counties in connection to a storm system that moved through the state overnight. Staff from the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) have been called to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) due to extensive storm damage across the state. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Saturday that she spoke with President Trump after Friday night's tornados in the state. "[Trump] said to tell the people of Arkansas he loves them and he and his administration are here to help with whatever we need following last night's tornadoes," she said in a post on X. In Kansas, at least eight people died and numerous injuries were reported Friday after more than 55 vehicles were involved in a crash due to a dust storm. Further south in Texas, officials said four people died after weather-related fatalities, some during car crashes in the midst of a dust storm. "It's the worst I've ever seen," said Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state's department of public safety, calling the near-zero visibility a nightmare. "We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled." Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The State Patrol said winds were so strong that they toppled several tractor-trailers. "This is terrible out here," said Charles Daniel, a truck driver hauling a 48-foot trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. "There's a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I'm not pushing it over 55 mph. I'm scared it will blow over if I do." Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday. Experts say it's not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. "What's unique about this one is its large size and intensity," said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. "And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area." The threat of tornadoes moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, a day after a massive storm system moving across the country killed at least six, unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up dust storms that caused deadly crashes and fanned more than 100 wildfires in several central states. Magenta marks areas at highest risk The Storm Prediction Center uses five categories to warn of expected severe weather, ranging from marginal to high. Its forecast maps are color-coded, with the lowest risk areas in green and the highest shown in magenta. On Saturday, the area of highest risk includes parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The "high risk" designation is used when severe weather is expected to include "numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes" or thunderstorms producing hurricane-force wind gusts and inflicting widespread damage, according to the agency's product descriptions. On many days when the "high risk" designation was used in recent years, the forecasts became reality. Tornadoes hit amid storm outbreak The weather service said at least five tornadoes were reported in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. Several buildings were damaged in the storm, including a strip mall in Rolla, Missouri, where a tornado was reported Friday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs, but the greatest threat would come from straight-line winds near or exceeding hurricane force, with gusts of 100 mph (160 kph) possible. "Potentially violent" tornadoes were expected Saturday in parts of the central Gulf Coast and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center said parts of Mississippi, including Jackson and Hattiesburg and areas of Alabama, including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa would be at a high risk. Severe storms and tornadoes were also possible across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. On Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Georgia due to damaging weather expected to move into the state overnight. It is scheduled to expire on Tuesday. "This storm will hit at the worst possible time, as people are heading to or already in bed. Before they retire for the evening, I'm urging everyone to be prepared ahead of time and to remain weather aware as long as this system is in the state." Wildfires break out amid dry, gusty conditions Wildfires in the Southern Plains threatened to spread rapidly amid warm, dry weather and strong winds, and evacuations were ordered Friday for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. A blaze in Roberts County, Texas, northeast of Amarillo, quickly blew up from less than a square mile to an estimated 32.8 square miles, the Texas A&M University Forest Service said on X. Crews stopped its advance by Friday evening. About 60 miles to the south, another fire grew to about 3.9 square miles before its advance was halted in the afternoon. In Oklahoma, the National Weather Service said a "complex of extremely dangerous fires" was located northeast of Oklahoma City, near Stillwater, and urged some people in the city of about 50,000 to evacuate on Friday evening. Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders via social media that included homes, hotels and a Walmart. Overall, nearly 150 fires were reported in Oklahoma, Andy James, the state's Forestry Services fire management chief, told local media. The State Patrol said on social media that winds toppled several tractor-trailers. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said that 70,000 acres had burned in the state. About 293 homes and structures had been destroyed as of Saturday afternoon — including Stitt's own farmhouse, he said. Firefighters had been prepositioned in certain areas, which helps authorities jump on blazes early, James said. Firefighting aircraft were also deployed in some parts of Oklahoma and Texas but were generally unable to fly due to low visibility from smoke and dust, he added. Officials urged people in some areas of central Missouri's Camden County to evacuate due to wildfires, and the State Highway Patrol warned via social media that they were nearing homes and businesses. Roughly 120 miles of Interstate 70 in western Kansas were temporarily shut down due to blowing dust and limited visibility. High winds also knocked out power to more than 250,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Mississippi, according the website Blizzard warnings in Northern Plains The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were expected, with up to a foot possible. Winds gusting to 60 mph were expected to cause whiteout conditions.
CBS News
15-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Tornado threat moves to southern U.S. after severe storms kill at least 19, unleashes winds and fans wildfires
The threat of tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, causing at least 19 fatalities in four states, injuries and widespread damage. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said on social media Saturday that tornadoes had been reported in six counties overnight. He said three hospitalizations have been reported and that "this number is expected to increase." More severe weather is expected in the state today, he said. Extreme weather conditions — including hurricane-force winds — are forecast to affect an area home to more than 100 million people. Winds gusting up to 80 mph were predicted from the Canadian border to Texas, threatening blizzard conditions in colder northern areas and wildfire risk in warmer, drier areas to the south. The most serious tornado threats were to eastern Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama, and the western parts of the Florida Panhandle and Georgia, the NWS said. At least 11 fatalities have been reported in Missouri, according to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. The deaths come as a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said that first responders, volunteers and faith-based partners "worked tirelessly" through the night "in response to a series of devastating tornadoes and severe storms, and before that, dangerous and damaging fires." "I appreciate the heroic work of all those who are assisting their fellow Missourians," Kehoe said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families grieving loved ones, and we stand with all those impacted by these devastating storms." In Oklahoma, the governor said one person died on the road, presumably due to smoke. In Arkansas, officials reported three fatalities in Independence County, and 29 people were reported injured in eight counties in connection to a storm system that moved through the state overnight. Staff from the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) have been called to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) due to extensive storm damage across the state. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Saturday that she spoke with President Trump after Friday night's tornados in the state. "[Trump] said to tell the people of Arkansas he loves them and he and his administration are here to help with whatever we need following last night's tornadoes," she said in a post on X. In Texas, officials said four people died after weather-related fatalities, some during car crashes in the midst of a dust storm. "It's the worst I've ever seen," said Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state's department of public safety, calling the near-zero visibility a nightmare. "We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled." Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The State Patrol said winds were so strong that they toppled several tractor-trailers. "This is terrible out here," said Charles Daniel, a truck driver hauling a 48-foot trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. "There's a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I'm not pushing it over 55 mph. I'm scared it will blow over if I do." Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday. Experts say it's not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. "What's unique about this one is its large size and intensity," said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. "And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area."The threat of tornadoes moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, a day after a massive storm system moving across the country killed at least six, unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up dust storms that caused deadly crashes and fanned more than 100 wildfires in several central states. Magenta marks areas at highest risk The Storm Prediction Center uses five categories to warn of expected severe weather, ranging from marginal to high. Its forecast maps are color-coded, with the lowest risk areas in green and the highest shown in magenta. On Saturday, that area of highest risk includes parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The "high risk" designation is used when severe weather is expected to include "numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes" or thunderstorms producing hurricane-force wind gusts and inflicting widespread damage, according to the agency's product descriptions. On many days when the "high risk" designation was used in recent years, the forecasts became reality. Tornadoes hit amid storm outbreak The weather service said at least five tornadoes were reported in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. Several buildings were damaged in the storm, including a strip mall in Rolla, Missouri, where a tornado was reported Friday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs, but the greatest threat would come from straight-line winds near or exceeding hurricane force, with gusts of 100 mph (160 kph) possible. "Potentially violent" tornadoes were expected Saturday in parts of the central Gulf Coast and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center said parts of Mississippi including Jackson and Hattiesburg and areas of Alabama including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa would be at a high risk. Severe storms and tornadoes were also possible across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. On Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Georgia due to damaging weather expected to move into the state overnight. It is scheduled to expire on Tuesday. "This storm will hit at the worst possible time, as people are heading to or already in bed. Before they retire for the evening, I'm urging everyone to be prepared ahead of time and to remain weather aware as long as this system is in the state." Wildfires break out amid dry, gusty conditions Wildfires in the Southern Plains threatened to spread rapidly amid warm, dry weather and strong winds, and evacuations were ordered Friday for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. A blaze in Roberts County, Texas, northeast of Amarillo, quickly blew up from less than a square mile to an estimated 32.8 square miles, the Texas A&M University Forest Service said on X. Crews stopped its advance by Friday evening. About 60 miles to the south, another fire grew to about 3.9 square miles before its advance was halted in the afternoon. In Oklahoma, the National Weather Service said a "complex of extremely dangerous fires" was located northeast of Oklahoma City, near Stillwater, and urged some people in the city of about 50,000 to evacuate on Friday evening. Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders via social media that included homes, hotels and a Walmart. Overall, nearly 150 fires were reported in Oklahoma, Andy James, the state's Forestry Services fire management chief, told local media. The State Patrol said on social media that winds toppled several tractor-trailers. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said that 70,000 acres had burned in the state. About 293 homes and structures had been destroyed as of Saturday afternoon — including Stitt's own farmhouse, he said. Firefighters had been prepositioned in certain areas, which helps authorities jump on blazes early, James said. Firefighting aircraft were also deployed in some parts of Oklahoma and Texas but were generally unable to fly due to low visibility from smoke and dust, he added. Officials urged people in some areas of central Missouri's Camden County to evacuate due to wildfires, and the State Highway Patrol warned via social media that they were nearing homes and businesses. Roughly 120 miles of Interstate 70 in western Kansas were temporarily shut down due to blowing dust and limited visibility. High winds also knocked out power to more than 320,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana and Mississippi, according the website Blizzard warnings in Northern Plains The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were expected, with up to a foot possible.
CBS News
15-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Tornado threat moves to southern U.S. after severe storms kill at least 18, unleashes winds and fans wildfires
The threat of tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, causing at least 18 fatalities in four states, injuries and widespread damage. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said on social media Saturday that tornadoes had been reported in six counties overnight. He said three hospitalizations have been reported and that "this number is expected to increase." More severe weather is expected in the state today, he said. Extreme weather conditions — including hurricane-force winds — are forecast to affect an area home to more than 100 million people. Winds gusting up to 80 mph were predicted from the Canadian border to Texas, threatening blizzard conditions in colder northern areas and wildfire risk in warmer, drier areas to the south. The most serious tornado threats were to eastern Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama, and the western parts of the Florida Panhandle and Georgia, the NWS said. At least 11 fatalities have been reported in Missouri, according to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. The deaths come as a massive storm system moving across the country unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up deadly dust storms and fanned more than 100 wildfires. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said that first responders, volunteers and faith-based partners "worked tirelessly" through the night "in response to a series of devastating tornadoes and severe storms, and before that, dangerous and damaging fires." "I appreciate the heroic work of all those who are assisting their fellow Missourians," Kehoe said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families grieving loved ones, and we stand with all those impacted by these devastating storms." In Oklahoma, the governor said one person died on the road, presumably due to smoke. In Arkansas, officials reported three fatalities in Independence County, and 29 people were reported injured in eight counties in connection to a storm system that moved through the state overnight. Staff from the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) have been called to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) due to extensive storm damage across the state. In Texas, three people were killed Friday in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo County in the Panhandle, according to Sgt. Cindy Barkley of the state's department of public safety. One pileup involved an estimated 38 cars. "It's the worst I've ever seen," Barkley said, calling the near-zero visibility a nightmare. "We couldn't tell that they were all together until the dust kind of settled." Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. The State Patrol said winds were so strong that they toppled several tractor-trailers. "This is terrible out here," said Charles Daniel, a truck driver hauling a 48-foot trailer along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. "There's a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I'm not pushing it over 55 mph. I'm scared it will blow over if I do." Forecasters said the severe storm threat would continue into the weekend with a high chance of tornadoes and damaging winds Saturday in Mississippi and Alabama. Heavy rain could bring flash flooding to some parts of the East Coast on Sunday. Experts say it's not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. "What's unique about this one is its large size and intensity," said Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. "And so what that is doing is producing really substantial impacts over a very large area."The threat of tornadoes moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, a day after a massive storm system moving across the country killed at least six, unleashed winds that damaged buildings, whipped up dust storms that caused deadly crashes and fanned more than 100 wildfires in several central states. Magenta marks areas at highest risk The Storm Prediction Center uses five categories to warn of expected severe weather, ranging from marginal to high. Its forecast maps are color-coded, with the lowest risk areas in green and the highest shown in magenta. On Saturday, that area of highest risk includes parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The "high risk" designation is used when severe weather is expected to include "numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes" or thunderstorms producing hurricane-force wind gusts and inflicting widespread damage, according to the agency's product descriptions. On many days when the "high risk" designation was used in recent years, the forecasts became reality. Tornadoes hit amid storm outbreak The weather service said at least five tornadoes were reported in Missouri on Friday, including one in the Saint Louis area. Several buildings were damaged in the storm, including a strip mall in Rolla, Missouri, where a tornado was reported Friday afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs, but the greatest threat would come from straight-line winds near or exceeding hurricane force, with gusts of 100 mph (160 kph) possible. "Potentially violent" tornadoes were expected Saturday in parts of the central Gulf Coast and Deep South into the Tennessee Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The Storm Prediction Center said parts of Mississippi including Jackson and Hattiesburg and areas of Alabama including Birmingham and Tuscaloosa would be at a high risk. Severe storms and tornadoes were also possible across eastern Louisiana, western Georgia, central Tennessee and the western Florida Panhandle. On Saturday, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Georgia due to damaging weather expected to move into the state overnight. It is scheduled to expire on Tuesday. "This storm will hit at the worst possible time, as people are heading to or already in bed. Before they retire for the evening, I'm urging everyone to be prepared ahead of time and to remain weather aware as long as this system is in the state." Wildfires break out amid dry, gusty conditions Wildfires in the Southern Plains threatened to spread rapidly amid warm, dry weather and strong winds, and evacuations were ordered Friday for some communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. A blaze in Roberts County, Texas, northeast of Amarillo, quickly blew up from less than a square mile to an estimated 32.8 square miles, the Texas A&M University Forest Service said on X. Crews stopped its advance by Friday evening. About 60 miles to the south, another fire grew to about 3.9 square miles before its advance was halted in the afternoon. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management activated its emergency operations center due to several fast-moving fires that prompted evacuations of the town of Leedey in the western part of the state and in a rural area east of Norman. Firefighters had been prepositioned in certain areas, which helps authorities jump on blazes early, said Andy James, Oklahoma Forestry Services fire management chief. Firefighting aircraft were also deployed in some parts of Oklahoma and Texas but were generally unable to fly due to low visibility from smoke and dust, he added. Friday evening, the National Weather Service said a "complex of extremely dangerous fires" was located northeast of Oklahoma City, near Stillwater, and urged some people in the city of about 50,000 to evacuate. Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders via social media that included homes, hotels and a Walmart. Officials urged people in some areas of central Missouri's Camden County to evacuate due to wildfires, and the State Highway Patrol warned via social media that they were nearing homes and businesses. Roughly 120 miles of Interstate 70 in western Kansas were temporarily shut down due to blowing dust and limited visibility. High winds also knocked out power to more than 216,000 homes and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, according the website Blizzard warnings in Northern Plains The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota starting early Saturday. Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches were expected, with up to a foot possible. Winds gusting to 60 mph were expected to cause whiteout conditions.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FOX 2's exclusive look inside Missouri Emergency Operations Center
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.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 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. SLMPD releases Soulard arrest numbers for Saturday 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
