Public Communications serves as a communications link between the city of Columbia’s municipal government and the citizens. The Public Communications Office coordinates several programs that are designed to link citizens with their city government.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Zim Schwartze, OEM Director, or Scott Smith, Public Information Officer - (573) 874-7400

Summer weather brings severe weather

COLUMBIA, MO (June 21, 2010) - As “Summer Weather Safety Week” continues, residents of Columbia and Boone County are reminded that thunderstorms can quickly form during the summer months. Those quickly-formed thunderstorms can cause a number of problems.

“As we experienced over the weekend, increasing heat and humidity can easily trigger strong to severe thunderstorms,” said Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management Director Zim Schwartze. “Those storms can literally form out of nowhere, and bring heavy rain, large hail, damaging winds and in some instances tornadoes. Their tendency to form quickly makes it all the more important to be aware of ever-changing weather patterns, stay turned to local media when thunderstorms threaten, and have a NOAA weather radio in your home or business.”

Schwartze continues to encourage individuals, families, schools and businesses to have a plan for what to do before, during and after severe weather strikes. For information on how to prepare for any kind of disaster, go to the Office of Emergency Management page of the city's website at www.gocolumbiamo.com/EM.

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