The Sedalia-Pettis County Emergency Management Agency released a statement today (Jan, 28) updating Pettis County residents on the status of the local storm shelters.  The statement was issued following a forecast that included a slight risk of high winds and isolated tornados.  In the event that a tornado watch is issued in Pettis County, the North Sedalia and Skyline Elementary shelters will not be open due to severe cracks in the roofs of the shelters.

EMA Director Dave Clippert said in the statement:

The cracks are allowing large quantities of water to pour into the shelters, which in turn make the floors very slick.  In the interest of public safety we have determined that closing these shelters is the correct course of action.  We are currently working on a fix to these problems and realize that his is a major inconvenience to those who planned to use the shelters.

The risk for severe weather in Pettis County is very minimal, with forecasts placing the primary tornado threat in southern Arkansas, northern Louisiana and Mississippi.

All other storm shelters will be opened if a tornado watch is issued, and the EMA will be monitoring the weather situation throughout the day.  For a full list of Pettis County storm shelters, click here to view our storm shelter map.

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