[Press Release] : Severe Weather Awareness Week concludes; residents urged to keep informed

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
Contact: Zim Schwartze, OEM Director - (573) 874-7400
 
Severe Weather Awareness Week concludes; residents urged to keep
informed
 
COLUMBIA, MO (March 11, 2010) - As the official “Severe Weather
Awareness Week” wraps up on Friday, March 12, the Columbia/Boone County
Office of Emergency Management (OEM), along with the State Emergency
Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS), remind
everyone that preparation is vital to protect life and property in the
event of severe weather. Part of that preparation is staying informed on
the approach of impending strong thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. 
 
“With a strong media presence serving Columbia and Boone County we are
very fortunate that information gets out quickly during severe weather
events,” says OEM Director Zim Schwartze. “While we appreciate their
obligation to inform the public, we want residents to take even further
steps to make sure they are informed well in advance of approaching
severe weather. One of the best ways the public can keep themselves
informed during severe weather events is by utilizing a NOAA weather
radio”. 
 
NOAA, which is an acronym for National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, weather radios broadcast official National Weather
Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24
hours a day, seven days a week. The radios can be programmed to give
county-specific weather information during severe weather events.
 
Residents can also be prepared for severe weather, and any other form
of disaster threat, by informing themselves of what to do before, during
and after an event. The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency
Management has a number of publications available which address disaster
preparations. Copies of such materials are available by contacting OEM
at (573) 874-7400, or by logging on the OEM page of the city's Web site
at www.GoColumbiaMo.com/EM.
 
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