[Press Release] : Severe weather possible for Boone County; tornado watch issued until 8 p.m

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Scott Smith, Public Information or Zim Schwartze, Interim OEM
Director
- (573) 874-7400

Severe weather possible for Boone County; tornado watch issued until 8
p.m

COLUMBIA, MO (May 15, 2009) - The threat of severe weather has prompted
the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a tornado watch for several
Northern and Central Missouri counties, including Boone County, until 8
p.m. tonight. While severe weather may not be immediately upon us, now
is the time to make preparations. 

“A watch such as this is issued when it’s believed that severe
weather will impact the area,” said Columbia/Boone County Emergency
Management Interim Director Zim Schwartze. “With this possibility, we
recommend that schools, government offices, businesses and residents of
Columbia and Boone County take time now to review their emergency
plans.”

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of
severe thunderstorms and/or tornadoes in and around the area. Once
threatening weather approaches Columbia and Boone County, the Emergency
Operations Center will activate its network of trained storm spotters to
report the nature, path and severity of the storms. Reports from those
spotters provide essential advance notice, so residents can take shelter
when needed. 

Tornado Safety Tips
What to Do Before, During, and After the Storm

Prepare a Home Tornado Plan:
●	Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is
headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement,
a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this
place uncluttered. If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have
enough time to go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the
center of the building. 

Assemble a Tornado Safety Kit Containing: 
●	First aid kit and essential medications 
●	Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries 
●	Canned food and can opener 
●	Bottled water 
●	Sturdy shoes and work gloves 
●	Also include in the kit written instructions on how to turn off
your home's utilities. 
●	Conduct periodic tornado drills, so everyone remembers what to
do when a tornado is approaching. 

Know What a Tornado WATCH and Tornado WARNING Mean:
●	A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area. 
●	A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be
headed for your area. Go to safety immediately. 

When a Tornado WATCH is Issued:
●	Listen to local radio and TV stations for further updates, and
have a NOAA Weather Radio in your home or business. 
●	Be alert to changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the
sound of an approaching tornado may alert you. Many say it sounds like a
freight train. 

When a Tornado WARNING is issued:
●	If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect
yourself from glass and other flying objects. If you are outside, hurry
to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or
low-lying area. If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately
and head for safety. 

During a Tornado:
●	If at home: 
o	Go at once to the basement, storm cellar or the lowest level of
the building. 
o	If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller
inner room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet. 
o	Get away from the windows. 
o	Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because
they tend to attract debris. 
o	Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or
heavy table or desk and hold on to it. 
o	Use arms to protect head and neck. 

●	If in a mobile home:
o	Get out and find shelter elsewhere. 
o	Take shelter in a building with a strong foundation. 
o	If shelter is not available, lie in ditch or low-lying area a
safe distance away from the unit. 

●	If at work or school: 
o	Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.

o	Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums,
cafeterias, large hallways or shopping malls. 
o	Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or
heavy table or desk and hold on to it. 
o	Use arms to protect head and neck. 

●	If outdoors: 
o	If possible, get inside a building. 
o	If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors,
lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be
aware of the potential for flooding. 
o	Use arms to protect head and neck. 

●	If in a car: 
o	Never try to out drive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes
can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it
through the air. 
o	Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby
building. 
o	If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie
in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the
potential for flooding. 


After the Tornado Passes:
●	Help injured or trapped persons. 
●	Give first aid when appropriate. Don't try to move the seriously
injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. 
●	Call for help. 
●	Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergency
information. 
●	Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities
say it is safe. 
●	Use the telephone only for emergency calls. 
●	Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or gasoline or other
flammable liquids immediately. Leave the buildings if you smell gas or
chemical fumes. 
●	Take pictures of the damage - both to the house and its contents
- for insurance purposes. 
●	Remember to help your neighbors who may require special
assistance - infants, the elderly and people with disabilities. 

- 30 -
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