COLUMBIA, MO (March 10, 2011) -

With the approach of spring and the severe weather that the season can bring, advance information is the key to response.  The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) reminds residents that knowledge can mean the difference between life and death.

“We’ve talked this week about having plans in place in the event of severe weather,” says OEM Director Zim Schwartze.  “Part of that plan is knowing where to get information when severe weather threatens.  At a time when seconds and minutes count, knowing the path and arrival time of a storm is half the battle.  The two best ways of staying informed are our local media and having a NOAA weather radio.”

NOAA weather radios broadcast official National Weather Service watches, warnings, forecasts and other weather hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The radios can be programmed to give county-specific weather information during severe weather events.

Residents can also be prepared for severe weather, and any other form of disaster threat, by informing themselves of what to do before, during and after an event.  The Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management has a number of publications available which address disaster preparations.  Copies of such materials are available by contacting OEM at (573) 874-7400, or by logging on the OEM website at www.gocolumbiamo.com/EM.