It is amazing what a difference one week can make. Over the course of just a few days, we have gone from feeling the continued effects of a drought that lasted the better part of two years to a flood.
Our recent storms serve as a good reminder to be ready for anything Mother Nature throws our way.
We had both floods and tornadoes in northeast Missouri recently. There was plenty of warning ahead of this severe weather, but sometimes we are not so lucky. Fortunately, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has some information on its website that I believe is important to know. There, you can find information on floods, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Sometimes, just knowing the difference between a watch and a warning can make all the difference in the world.
SEMA also has information on a three-step method for severe weather preparation:
- Create a plan with your family before a disaster strikes;
- Prepare a kit for your car, home and work; and
- Listen for information with a battery-powered radio.
SEMA also has this information available via a pamphlet that you can get by contacting our office.
Spring storms can be a good-news, bad-news scenario. Granted, we desperately need the rain. But, now that we have climbed out of the drought, more big storms will mean more flooding and having to postpone spring planting. Plus, strong winds, tornadoes and hail also damage crops. Hopefully, the weather will start to moderate and we can continue planting crops on time this year.
Another good resource to have is MoDOT’s online Traveler Information Map. There, you can find road conditions, closings and road work for the entire state.
I would also like to take a moment and let you know we only have a few weeks remaining in the 2013 legislative session. This year has really flown by, with the biggest work for legislators ready to begin. Our only constitutional duty is to pass a state budget by a certain date. This year, we have until 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10, to have the Fiscal Year 2014 budget delivered to the governor. We are on a good timeframe, and I fully expect we will have the budget to him ahead of our deadline.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Thank you. |
