Missouri Launches Web Site To Help Missourians Prepare For Tornadoes & Severe Storms
Missouri launches Web site to help Missourians be prepared for tornadoes and severe storms
Missouri StormAware Web site includes videos on sheltering and storm warning systems; stormaware.mo.gov also includes links to severe weather texting services to alert Missourians to severe weather in their area
JEFFERSON CITY – The State Emergency Management Agency today announced Missouri has launched a new Web site to help inform and prepare Missourians for severe weather. Stormaware.mo.gov includes detailed videos on how to take shelter in specific types of buildings, important information about tornado sirens and weather alert radios, and links to severe weather texting services that can alert people across Missouri to upcoming severe weather.
“We think Missouri StormAware will be a valuable tool to educate all Missourians about the steps they can take to help protect themselves from dangerous severe weather,” State Emergency Management Agency Director Paul D. Parmenter said. “We’re providing very specific information about the safest places in different types of buildings, pointing out the limitations of tornado sirens that people should be aware of, and directing Missourians to text messaging systems that provide severe storm warnings.”
The Missouri StormAware Web site shows how people can find the safest place to shelter in their house and the steps mobile home residents should take as soon as they move in to their residences. There’s also information for sheltering in schools, places of worship and other large gathering places. A video on tornado sirens and how they are used explains that they are designed to alert only people who are outdoors, and should not be relied upon while indoors. In another video, a National Weather Service meteorologist explains the importance of weather alert radios and recommends that every Missouri family have one in their home.
An important feature of the StormAware site allows users to find text messaging services in their area that will allow them to get automatic text alerts whenever a severe storm warning is issued in their area. The services, which are not provided by the state of Missouri, are free, but normal text messaging rates will apply.
“We will also be adding additional content and we hope that Missourians will visit, sign up for text messaging alerts in their area, refer friends and relatives to the site and then check back periodically to learn more about being StormAware,” Parmenter said.
To explore Missouri StormAware and get helpful preparedness tips for your family, visit http://stormaware.mo.gov.
8,000 Gallon Alcohol Tanker Overturns On Hwy 61
March 14, 2012, 5:02 AM – Lincoln County Fire Protection District #1 and Northwest Fire Protection District were dispatched to Hwy 61 at Old Hwy 61 near Old Alexandria for a motor vehicle accident involving an overturned tractor trailer. While en route, Firefighters were advised the driver was trapped in the cab of the truck and that highly flammable denatured alcohol was leaking from the 8,000 gallon trailer.
On arrival, Firefighters cut through metal and glass to get to the driver of the truck who was trapped in the cab. After being extricated from the truck, he was flown by helicopter to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center. His current condition is unknown.
At the time of this release, Hwy 61 remains shut down in both directions. Crews are currently offloading the alcohol onto another tanker. The overturned tractor trailer will then be up righted and removed. MODOT has traffic rerouted via Hwy. KK in both directions.
Time To Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries This Weekend!
It’s time to change your smoke alarm batteries this weekend! Working smoke alarms save lives. Here’s a few helpful tips…
• Replace with NEW batteries…not the ones that have been in the drawer for the last year.
• If your smoke alarms are over 10 years old, the entire smoke alarm needs to be replaced as they may no longer work properly.
• Don’t ignore smoke alarms that are hard to reach, such as those on a high ceiling. Smoke rises and the highest smoke alarms may very well activate first, giving you early warning of a fire.
• If your smoke alarms are dusty, you can gently clean them with a suction hose from a vacuum. Always do this with the cover in place so no internal parts can be damaged.
If you have questions or need help with your smoke alarms, please call us at 636-528-8567. We are always happy to help.
Red Flag Warning For Tuesday
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Lincoln County on Tuesday, March 6th 10am – 8pm. Winds, low humidity and above normal temps will bring an elevated risk of natural cover fires.
We ask that you do not burn on Tuesday. This includes trash in barrels, campfires, crops, etc. During these conditions an ember from even a small controlled fire can ignite nearby combusitible ground cover and spread quickly.
Please contact us at 636-528-8567 with any questions.
Arrest Made In Multiple Elsberry Arsons!!!
Press release text from the Official ATF Press release…
ELSBERRY, Mo. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(ATF) Kansas City Field Division, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety’s Office of the
State Fire Marshal and the Lincoln County Arson Task Force announced today that Roy
William Gunn, age 33, of Elsberry, Mo., was arrested in connection with multiple arson
fires.
Beginning in July 2011, ATF, the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office and the
Lincoln County Arson Task Force have been investigating a series of fires in the
Elsberry, Mo. The fires occurred primarily in residential and commercial structures,
causing a total of approximately $500,000 in damage. Gunn was arrested yesterday in
Elsberry, Mo. and is currently being held on state charges including arson, burglary and
knowingly burning. Gunn was arrested in relation to the below incidents:
• On July 19, 2011, a fire occurred at a vacant residential structure located at 309 S.
Third St. in Elsberry, Mo.
• On July 24, 2011, a fire occurred at a vacant residential structure located at 303 S.
Fourth Street in Elsberry, Mo.
• On Aug. 30, 2011, a fire occurred at a vacant residence located at 306 S. Third St.
in Elsberry, Mo.
• On Aug. 31, 2011, a fire occurred at a vacant commercial structure located at 990
Highway B in Elsberry, Mo. The business at the structure was formerly known as
Stu’s Countryside Quick Shop.
• On Sept. 10, 2011, a fire occurred at an occupied commercial structure located at
301 S. Main St. in Elsberry, Mo.
• On Oct. 30, 2011, a natural cover fire was discovered at property located 2803 N.
Highway 79, south of Elsberry, Mo.
• On Feb. 14, 2012, a fire occurred at a vacant residential structure located at 301 S.
Third St. in Elsberry, Mo.
“Arson is a serious and potentially deadly crime that impacts an entire
community”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael P. Gleysteen. “Cooperation is
the cornerstone to success in any investigation and ATF is a proud partner in this case.”
“After seven long months and thousands of man hours, our residents and business
owners can sleep a little better tonight knowing we were successful in removing this
dangerous threat from our community. Throughout the investigation, our community had
the unconditional support of many state, federal and local agencies which ultimately led
to the arrest of the responsible person”, said Elsberry Fire Chief Kevin Hailey. “On
behalf of Elsberry Fire Protection District and our community, I thank the following
agencies for their outstanding support: Missouri Division of Fire Safety, ATF, Lincoln
County Arson Task Force, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Troy Police Department,
Elsberry Police Department, Lincoln County Fire Protection District #1, Northwest Fire
Protection District, Winfield-Foley Fire Protection District, Wright City Fire Protection
District, Eolia Fire Protection District and Old Monroe Fire Protection District.”
The case was investigated by ATF, the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office and
the Lincoln County Arson Task Force. The Lincoln County Arson Task Force consists of
the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Troy Police Department, the Elsberry Police
Department, the Lincoln County Fire Protection District #1, the Northwest Fire
Protection District, the Winfield-Foley Fire Protection District, the Wright City Fire
Protection District, the Eolia Fire Protection District and the Old Monroe Fire Protection
District.
ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of
arson. For more information about ATF, go to www.atf.gov. Follow @ATFHQ on
Twitter.
As is always the case, these charges are merely accusations and do not constitute
proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.
