National Weather Service Educates Shoppers About Severe Weather
Kelsey Angle
NOAA National Weather Service
March 24, 2009 — Shoppers saw more than sale signs when visiting the Battlefield Mall in Springfield, Mo., on March 14 as meteorologists from the National Weather Service office in Springfield were on site hosting Severe Weather Awareness Day. Nearly 60,000 shoppers found NWS meteorologists providing information about severe weather awareness and preparedness to reduce the impact of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, and lightning.
Steve Runnels, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, discusses severe weather safety information with a shopper. Photo credit: Christine Moses, Marketing Director at Battlefield Mall.
“Now is the time to plan and prepare for the impacts of severe weather. It’s not a matter if severe weather will occur, it’s a matter of when,” said Steve Runnels, warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS Springfield office.
To help the public prepare for the upcoming severe weather season, an array of agencies and organizations offered a variety of educational information and interactive booths. NWS meteorologists presented information about severe weather safety and discussed the dangers of tornadoes via a tornado simulator and booth. The American Red Cross provided lifesaving medical information and sold NOAA All Hazard Weather Radios.
A future meteorologist prepares to deliver a forecast with the KOLR 10-TV and KSFX-TV Kidcast contest. Photo credit: Christine Moses, Marketing Director at Battlefield Mall.
In addition, Springfield-Green County Emergency Management discussed the Hometown Ready and Community Emergency Response Team programs. Amateur radio operators demonstrated the importance of communication during severe weather and in disaster recovery efforts. KTTS-FM distributed storm alert maps and interviewed NWS meteorologists on the hazards of severe weather. KOLR-TV and KSFX-TV conducted a Kidcast contest where kids were recorded presenting a weather forecast and were featured on a morning newscast. Battlefield Mall hosted the Kidgits Kids Club and a weather-related coloring contest.
“The fostering of partnerships with these diverse stakeholders integrated with the visibility of mall traffic led to a successful event with thousands going home with life-saving information,” said Kelsey Angle, meteorologist at the NWS Springfield office.
This information could save lives if this year is anything like last year when 64 tornadoes struck southwest Missouri and nearby Kansas resulting in 19 fatalities and more than 230 injuries in Missouri alone. Flash floods and lightning strikes also resulted in nine fatalities and 17 injuries in Missouri last year.
Ryan Nicholls, Greene County Emergency Manager, and Ty Davison distribute information on the Hometown Ready and Community Emergency Response Team programs. Photo credit: Christine Moses, Marketing Director at Battlefield Mall.