St. Francois County Officials Preparing for Severe Weather

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Officials in St. Francois County are taking steps to ensure residents are prepared as severe storms are expected to impact the Parkland this evening.

Sheriff Jeff Crites says the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department has been actively preparing for the threat throughout the week. He says emergency crews are on standby.

Farmington City Administrator Greg Beavers has announced that storm shelters will be open to the public for those who need a safe place to take cover. 

Available shelters include:

• Farmington Police Department (310 Ste. Genevieve Ave.) – Open 24/7
• Farmington Civic Center (2 Black Knight Dr.) – Open from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• FEMA Shelter at Truman Learning Center (209 W. College) – Open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Central High School Storm Shelter – Open during tornado warnings or siren activations

Residents are encouraged to seek shelter if they do not feel safe where they are.

The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency is reminding the public that tornado sirens are designed for outdoor warnings only. Sheriff Crites there are many locations across the county that have these sirens.

Officials urge residents to use multiple ways to receive alerts, including NOAA weather radios, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), local radio and television stations, and weather apps.

Sheriff Crites stresses the importance of staying informed and being prepared. As storms approach, residents should secure loose outdoor items, have an emergency kit ready, and identify their nearest shelter location.

For the latest updates, stay tuned to KFMO B104 News for the latest weather information.