Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri

The National Weather Service, the State Emergency Management Agency, and Missouri’s local emergency managers are teaming up to promote this week as Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri. State Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Remillard says, “We encourage all Missourians to prepare for winter by reviewing the steps they can take to help ensure they and their families will have a safe and healthy winter season.” National Weather Service Forecast Offices that serve Missouri and SEMA will be sharing weather safety messaging through social media, targeting specific themes each day during Winter Weather Preparedness Week. Look for messaging focused on these themes: Today, the theme is Winter Weather Terminology. What do terms like winter storm watch, warning, advisory, blizzard, snow squall, and other winter weather terms actually mean? Ice Safety is tomorrow’s theme, snow safety on Wednesday, extreme cold, hypothermia, and frostbite on Thursday, and Friday’s theme is planning for snow, ice, and cold. In 2021, there was more than 7,300 vehicle crashes in Missouri in which snow, sleet, hail or ice were factors, which resulted in 1,995 injuries and 25 deaths, according to preliminary results provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Even if not directly involved in a crash, an accident blocking the roadway could cause other drivers to be stranded for hours. Avoiding non-essential travel during winter storms is one of the best ways to reduce the chance of becoming involved in a crash or becoming stranded. It also allows snow removal crews to clear the roads faster and first responders to get to crashes more quickly.