Farmington Prepares for Winter Storm, Warming Shelters Available

Farmington, Mo. (KFMO) - The City of Farmington is preparing for an incoming winter storm as the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for St. Francois County.

The warning is in effect from midnight Friday through 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Forecasters are calling for heavy snowfall totals between 5 and 10 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. The National Weather Service says rapid snow accumulation could make travel extremely difficult or even impossible at times.

Residents are urged to avoid travel if possible. If travel is necessary, officials recommend exercising extreme caution and keeping emergency supplies in vehicles, including a flashlight, food, and water.

The City of Farmington is reminding residents that all city-operated buildings open during normal business hours may be used as warming locations. If closures occur at the Civic Center or Public Library, updates will be posted on each facility’s official Facebook page.

Warming locations include:

• Farmington City Hall, 110 West Columbia Street, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Development Services / City Light & Water, 101 South Jefferson Street, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Farmington Civic Center, 2 Black Knight Drive
  • 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday
  • 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday
• Farmington Public Library, 101 North A Street
  • 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday
  • 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday
  • 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday
• Farmington Police Department, 310 Ste. Genevieve Avenue, open 24/7
• Farmington Fire Department, 222 East Columbia Street, open 24/7

For overnight sheltering, the Uplift Emergency Winter Overnight Shelter, located at 609 Wallace Road, will be open daily from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. If daytime temperatures fall to 40 degrees or below, the shelter will operate 24 hours a day. The shelter, operated by East Missouri Action Agency, houses men, women, and children. More information is available by calling 573-454-2304.

Additional overnight resources include the Southeast Missouri Family Violence Council at 573-358-3913 and Shared Blessings Transitional Housing at 573-358-2998, both located in Bonne Terre.

Farmington Emergency Management Director Josh McAtee encourages residents to check on neighbors, friends, family members, and pets during the extreme cold. McAtee says anyone needing assistance getting to a warming shelter should contact Central Dispatch at 573-431-3131.

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts through Smart911 at farmington-mo.gov/smart911.