The Severe Storm Spotter Training, sponsored by the National Weather Service, Riverside Department of Public Safety and Platte County Emergency Management, will take place on Thursday, March 25. The training will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at Park Hill South High School, 4500 NW Riverpark Drive.

For more details, contact the Riverside Office of Emergency Management at 741-1191.

March is Severe Spring Weather Preparedness Month in Missouri because the weather transitions from snow to rain, tornadoes and flooding.

The National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency and local emergency management offices will conduct the 36th annual state tornado drill at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11. The weather service will initiate the drill.

The entire drill can be completed in 15 minutes.

Once Missourians hear broadcast drill messages or outdoor warning sirens, they should practice seeking shelter. The safest shelter location is an interior room without windows in the lowest level of the building. Other school or business safe locations are basements, hallways, under staircases and designated tornado safe rooms. Once everyone is accounted for, the drill is over.

For more information on Kansas and Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week (March 8-12, 2010) visit the National Weather Service Web site.

On Monday, March 8, the Riverside Office of Emergency Management will present the Severe Storm Preparedness Workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center. The workshop will cover weather terms, how to prepare for severe weather, severe weather safety and “Project Community Alert.” Lunch will be provided at this free event. If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP in advance to 741-4172.

The Kansas City Area, including Riverside, is still in a wind chill warning until noon Saturday, with temperatures dropping in the range of -5 to -15 degrees below zero.  This is a dangerous and life threatening situation. 

The City of Riverside Office of Emergency Management asks you to stay indoors and to not venture out into this environment.  Exposed body tissue wil cause frostbite in just 30 minutes.  If you are exposed to this weather and you notice loss of feeling in your extremities and very pale skin color, call 9-1-1 immediately. 

This extreme weather emergency also affects your pets.  Animals can die in a short period of time in this cold.

For more details on staying safe in this weather, view Wind Chill Tips from the National Weather Service.

Trash
In addition, due to weather, Deffenbaugh announced that they will not pick up trash in Riverside this week.  Trash will be collected as scheduled on Friday, January 15.

The National Weather Service has placed the City of Riverside in an Excessive Heat Warning.  Very hot and humid conditions will cause temperatures to rise to the middle 90s.  Heat indices are expected to peak between 100 and 115 degrees.  These conditions can be very dangerous if you are not in an air conditioned environment.  If you need assistance, please call the United Way’s 2-1-1 line for cooling center locations or contact the Riverside Public Safety Department at 816-741-1191.

The National Weather Service (NWS), SEMA and your local your emergency management agency will conduct the Statewide Severe Weather Tornado Drill at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2009.  If Missouri is experiencing statewide severe weather conditions, the National Weather Service will hold the statewide drill on the backup date, 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 2009.

“This exercise reminds citizens, schools, and business to identify tornado safe shelter locations when tornado warnings are issued. Over Mother’s Day weekend on May 10, 2008, a tornado touched down, traveled, and destroyed properties in a 20 mile path across Jasper, Newton and Barry Counties. Sixteen people lost their lives, more than 200 were injured,” said John H. Campbell, Acting Director for the State Emergency Management Agency. He also noted an April 2006 tornado destroyed major portions of the Pemiscot County communities of Caruthersville, Braggadocio, and Deering.

The Statewide tornado drill takes less than 15 minutes to perform. Once the severe weather announcement is made, citizens are asked to seek shelter in the lowest level (basement if possible) interior room away from windows. Schools and businesses might seek shelter in basements, hallways or under staircases. The drill also highlights the importance of accounting for everyone in your home, class or office.

The NWS Pleasant Hill, Springfield, St. Louis, Paducah, Davenport, and Memphis offices will initiate the statewide tornado drill exercise.  Weather Tone Alert Radios and Broadcasters will disseminate the tornado drill message. Local emergency management directors may active outdoor warning sirens for this drill.

Remember the following terms:

Tornado WATCH means watch the sky!

Tornado WARNING means seek shelter immediately.

Safe Shelter Locations: If you are at home, school or work, go immediately to an interior room with NO windows on the lowest possible floor. If you are at school or work DO NOT GO to a cafeteria, gymnasium or large interior open space because the roof might collapse.  If you are in a mobile home, leave it immediately — seek shelter in a nearby building or in a ditch. 

Safe Driving Information: Take shelter in a nearby building, in a ditch or low-lying area away from your car. If you are outside, remember to cover your head with your arms, coat or blanket to protect yourself from flying debris.  Never try to out drive a tornado.

OVERPASSES Are NOT Safe — An overpass’s under-the-girder-type construction can cause a dangerous wind tunnel effect.  This may cause the winds to be stronger and more focused underneath.  This can also cause the overpass to be a collector of debris.

A Flash Flood WATCH is issued when the meteorologist expects rainfall to be heavy enough to produce flash flooding. 

A Flash Flood WARNING is issued when flash flooding is imminent or already in progress.  If you are in its path, move to higher ground immediately.

Water on the Road: never drive into water on the road. If your car stalls, get out of your car immediately and seek higher ground.  It takes less than two feet of water to make your car float.  Once floating downstream, your car can overturn trapping you inside.

City of Riverside staff is currently monitoring the developing winter storm in the area.  Additional information, including any advisories, watches or warnings that impact our area, will be posted as a Community Alert on the Riverside Web site. 

In response, the National Weather Service in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill has published a winter weather video briefing concerning the winter storm.  Click here to view the briefing.