Severe Weather Shelters Open Across the Parkland During Tornado Warnings

Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - As the threat of severe weather moves through the area, local emergency officials are urging residents to know ahead of time where they can go for safety during a Tornado Warning.

Several public shelters are available throughout the region, including 24-hour and limited-hour facilities.

In Farmington, the Farmington Police Department, located at 310 Ste. Genevieve Avenue, is open 24 hours a day as a designated safe location during emergencies. The Farmington Civic Center, located at 2 Black Knight Drive, is also available from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.

Several school-based shelters are also available across the region, but officials stress that school shelters will only open during non-school hours and only when a Tornado Warning is issued.

Those locations include:

• Truman Learning Center - 209 West College, Farmington
• Central High School (building near football field) – 116 Rebel Drive, Park Hills
• Kelly A. Burlison Middle School – 825 East Highway 72, Fredericktown
• Fredericktown Elementary School – 419 Newberry Street, Fredericktown
• Potosi Elementary School – 205 Highway P, Potosi

Emergency management officials encourage residents to have multiple shelter options identified ahead of time and to avoid waiting until severe weather is imminent to plan where to go.

Residents are also reminded that not all locations are open at all times, and activation depends on weather conditions and official warnings being issued by the National Weather Service.