Farmington opening hazardous weather shelter

The city of Farmington has announced that it has opened the Farmington Police Department, located at 310 Ste. Genevieve Avenue, as a storm shelter in advance of this evening’s forecast for potentially hazardous weather.

“We are hoping for no bad weather, but the National Weather Service (NWS) tells us that Farmington has an ‘enhanced’ chance of severe weather,” said Tim Porter, Emergency Management director. “This includes the chance for tornadoes, high wind gusts, hail and heavy rain.

“The shelter at the police station is for anyone who does not feel safe where he or she is if severe weather impacts Farmington today. If you fell like you don’t have adequate shelter in the event a tornado warning or a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, we want you to have a safe place to take shelter. Anyone seeking shelter should enter though the front door and a staff member will guide you to the basement area.”

The NWS has initially predicted that the hazardous weather will move into the area sometime between 6 and 8 p.m.

“This is predicted to be a fairly quick moving system,” Porter said. “So, this time frame may shift. It is important to stay aware of the latest forecast.”

Citizens are also encouraged to utilize multiple information sources, including phones, television and weather radios.

“We will be prepared to activate our outdoor sirens,” Porter said. “But those are designed to alert those who are outside during a warning. They are not designed to alert us when we are indoors. So, having multiple sources of weather updates is important.

The Daily Journal also posts NWS watches and warnings at www.dailyjournalonline.com.

Porter also cautioned those who may be traveling.

“The timing of this storm seems to coincide with the start of the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals games in St. Louis tonight,” he said. “So be extra aware if you’re on the road to or at one of those events.”