Free storm spotter class offered Feb. 28

Free storm spotter class offered Feb. 28

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Office of Emergency Management, has partnered with the National Weather Service and the Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose FOCUS Center to offer a free storm spotter class on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 from 7-9 p.m.

Class will be held at the Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose FOCUS Center (formerly the Linwood Multipurpose Center), 3200 Wayne Ave., Kansas City, Mo. The center has recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation and has secure off-street parking.

A National Weather Service meteorologist will teach participants to ‘read the sky’ to determine what type of severe weather is coming and will share important weather safety information that can help protect participants and the community from the hazards of severe weather.

“Storm spotters play a vital role in the warning and information process,” said Mayor Mark Funkhouser. “By observing storms and making reports back to the Emergency Operations Center and National Weather Service, they provide a valuable service. Residents are encouraged to get involved.”

For more than 60 years, storm spotters have been the nation’s first line of defense against deadly storms. This partnership among trained storm spotters, Emergency Management and the National Weather Service has helped save countless lives.

Anyone who has interest in being an official storm spotter or a general interest in weather is encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Jennifer Fales, emergency management coordinator, at 816-784-9304.