SEVERE WEATHER, INCLUDING TORNADOS, POSSIBLE TODAY IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Weather officials are bracing for the possibility of severe weather, including tornados, entering our area this afternoon.
River Radio Chief Meteorologist Dan Holiday tells us more about what we can expect today.
“Once again we have a strong upper level storm system coming into the central part of the country. Moisture lifting in from the Gulf of Mexico, the jet stream nearby, we have a cold front coming in as well. Some of the ingredients coming together for the threat of severe weather this afternoon.
How significant this severe weather will be is in question largely determined on how much clearing, instability that we have in the atmosphere. That is the fuel that severe thunderstorms need to form, develop and thrive, and so if we have any clearing, if we have some heating in advance of this system moving in, that's where we would be more concerned for damaging winds and tornadoes.
Some of the tornadoes could be quite strong. The window to keep advised, obviously anytime by mid to late afternoon into this evening. Make sure you have this station on your radio and also have a backup with either NOAA Weather Radio to set off an alarm or text messages to come to your phone.”
Black River Coliseum director Greg Smith tells KWOC News that anyone who will be attending the Gymnastics competition at the Coliseum should be aware of the emergency procedures that will be implemented in case of a severe weather event.
OFFICIALS URGE PREPAREDNESS AHEAD OF SEVERE WEATHER
With the increased chances of severe weather today, now is the time to make sure you are prepared.
It is important to have a tornado safety plan in place in case a tornado strikes. Officials say that knowing what to do before a tornado occurs is essential to protect lives. Remember to have a way to receive weather alerts when they are put out.
If you are at home when a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows.
If you are outside, seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.
Officials also say that being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
You can find information on steps to take to protect yourself and your family in the case of a tornado at weather.gov/safety/tornado-prepare.
DONIPHAN CITY WIDE YARD SALE SET FOR THIS WEEKEND
An annual celebration is returning this weekend in Doniphan.
The Doniphan City Wide Yard Sale is scheduled for 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday.
The event will feature vendors, food trucks, local business sales, and more.
For more information, call the Doniphan City Hall at 573-996-2623.
MISSOURI POLICE OFFICERS TO CRACKDOWN ON TEENS NOT WEARING THEIR SEAT BELT
A new seat belt enforcement campaign is set to begin this weekend in Missouri.
Statewide law enforcement will be participating in a high visibility youth seat belt mobilization from April 1st through the 15th to help increase seat belt use among teens and reduce highway fatalities.
According to officials, only 71.8 percent of Missouri teens wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Six out of ten teen vehicle drivers and passengers killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled.
DEADLINE COMING UP TO REGISTER FOR POPLAR BLUFF YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
The deadline is almost here to get your children registered for youth baseball and softball in Poplar Bluff.
According to the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department, today is the final day for your children to get registered. The cost to register is $20.
For more information, or to complete the registration, go to pbparks.org or visit the Parks and Recreation office on North Second Street.
ORGANIZATION DONATES WEIGHTED BLANKETS TO POPLAR BLUFF SCHOOL DISTRICT
An organization has made a donation to assist area students in need.
The Missouri Association for Family and Community Education recently donated a dozen hand-sewn weighted blankets to the Poplar Bluff School District to be distributed to students in need within the Special Education Department.
Designed to relieve anxiety through the use of deep touch pressure stimulation, the weighted blankets were dispersed to schools from Early Childhood to High School earlier this month and R-I Special Services Director Mindy Garrett says they were gone by the end of the day.
The Star Club under FAFCE-Butler County gathered each month to sew the blankets as a community project.
