In This Section . . .

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:  June 10, 2009

SEMA, NWS Offer Summer Severe Weather Information

June 21 is the official start of summer. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) set the week of June 21-27, 2009 for the Summer Severe Weather campaign.  This Summer Weather Safety Campaign focuses on heat, lightning, flood safety and weather radio information to keep people safe during the peak vacation and outdoor recreation season.

“Informing our citizens about the dangers involved with summer weather is critical. In 2008, 34 citizens died from heat related illnesses, and 17 citizens were injured lightning strikes,” Director of the State Emergency Management Agency Paul D. Parmenter said. “There is always the potential for summer flooding in the severe weather mix. Our goal is to give citizens the tools they need to be safe this summer.”

Information in the campaign includes the warning signs of heat illness and the importance of drinking adequate amounts of water, as well as, the increased risk of lightning strikes to camps and outdoor recreation.

“A weather radio gives citizens advanced severe weather warning,” Parmenter said. “For families that enjoy outdoor activities or camping trips a portable weather radio could give people enough time to seek safe shelter.”

SEMA: http://sema.dps.mo.gov/ then click on the Heat Awareness Campaign in the main section

The St. Louis NWS: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=summerweathersafetyweek

The Pleasant Hill NWS: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/heat_wave.shtml

The Springfield NWS office: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/heatwave.pdf

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