TORNADO WATCH issued for parts of the Four State region until 8pm Wednesday

(KSNF/KODE) — A Tornado Watch is in effect for counties in southwest Missouri, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.

A WATCH means atmospheric conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.

Remember, it takes many ingredients in the atmosphere to come together so a tornado is possible for the counties in RED.

Download our mobile app for both Apple and Google Play to get an alert when a severe storm is near you.

Stay weather aware this St. Patrick’s Day!

TORNADO WARNING for BARRY County until 5:45pm

(KSNF/KODE) — A TORNADO WARNING has been issued for BARRY County, Missouri until 5:45pm.

1.75″ hail is also possible.

SEEK SHELTER NOW!

A storm capable of producing a tornado is near Seligman moving northeast towards:

  • southern edge of Cassville
  • Eagle Rock
  • Roaring River State Park

SEEK SHELTER NOW!

Follow updates on our KSN/KODE Interactive Radar.

Emergency curtailment ends for Southwest Missouri business customers

ST. LOUIS — With natural gas systems improving across the region, Spire is lifting its emergency curtailment plan for all business customers in Southwest Missouri.

“We want to thank everyone in the community for their help this week,” said Scott Carter, Spire Missouri president. “Every customer who helped conserve energy made a difference and helped to keep natural gas flowing across the region. Together, we kept families safe and warm when the reliability of natural gas was needed most.”

On Monday evening – when energy systems in the Midwest began to stress – Spire advised business customers to reduce usage and asked residents to turn down thermostats and minimize usage of natural gas appliances. While the curtailment plan is over, Spire continues to suggest all homes and businesses conserve energy to keep bills low during these frigid weather conditions.

“This is a time of year when energy usage increases naturally,” said Carter. “By taking a few simple steps, customers can lower energy consumption – which will reduce the impact on their bills.”

For residential customers, tips to conserve energy include:

  • Turn thermostats down a few degrees
  • Limit use of natural gas fireplaces
  • During the day, open curtains on south-facing windows to let sunlight heat the home. Close curtains at night to reduce potential incoming cold from any drafty windows
  • If windows feel drafty, install insulating drapes, shades or weather sealing tape to prevent cold air from seeping in
  • Seal areas around the home where air could come in. These leaky areas often can be found around pipes that connect to the outside, unfinished spaces behind cupboards, recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and closets.

For more information on ways you can do your part and help conserve energy during these extreme conditions, go to SpireEnergy.com/ColdWeather.

Southwest Missouri customers immediately asked to reduce natural gas usage

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 15, 2021) — With natural gas supplies impacted across the Midwest, Spire is
implementing an emergency curtailment plan in their service areas across Southwest Missouri. Spire is asking customers to reduce usage immediately.

To prevent system outages due to frigid weather conditions, Spire is asking customers to turn thermostats as low as they can comfortably tolerate and to minimize the use of any other natural gas appliances over the next 48 hours.

“We don’t want to alarm people, but we don’t want to surprise them,” said Scott Carter, Spire Missouri president. “Our operations teams are closely monitoring the situation and we are working around the clock to keep customers safe.”

In addition, Spire is asking commercial and industrial customers to reduce their gas usage at facilities to minimum levels necessary to protect buildings and inventory. This request does not apply to hospitals, nursing homes, essential food processors, and other human needs applications.

“Working together as a community, we can do our best to keep gas pressure levels up and keep homes warm for everyone,” said Carter.

For more information on ways you can do your part and help conserve energy during these extreme conditions, go to SpireEnergy.com/ColdWeather.

JPD advising to stay home as much as possible and give yourself time to get to destination

MISSOURI — Multiple agencies are warning that snow and freezing temperatures are causing roads to be slick.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is saying heavy snow is on the way.

MoDOT is telling drivers to give snowplows room on the roads and do not crowd them or try to pass.

The Joplin Police Department is telling the community to stay home unless there is an emergency and give yourself more time to get to your destination

Spire Energy advising to conserve natural gas

MISSOURI — Spire Energy is asking Missouri customers to conserve natural gas during this Winter blast.

They say the cold weather is causing a demand for natural gas — but the weather is also causing natural gas wells to freeze in some parts of the country.

Spire is asking customers to conserve energy by turning their thermostats down a few degrees, limiting the use of natural gas fireplaces and closing curtains at night to reduce cold from drafty windows.

Local electric company advising to reduce energy consumption

MISSOURI — Meanwhile Liberty Electric is issuing a peak advisory for electric customers.

Due to the extreme cold and fuel supply issues they’re asking customers to reduce energy consumption starting Sunday night through Tuesday.

To conserve energy they’re asking customers to set thermostats to 65 degrees and postpone nonessential energy use along with turning off and unplugging computers, chargers, printers, and televisions when they’re not in use.

Places to stay in Oklahoma during Severe Weather

OTTAWA COUNTY — Oklahomans looking for a place to stay during this severe winter weather we’ve been experiencing can find relief at several area locations.

New Hope Christian Church in Miami will be providing a warm place to sleep and will also be serving food.

The Wyandotte Nation Civic Center will be open as a shelter, along with the District 2 Barn and Wyandotte Nation’s Storm Shelter.

The New Life Nazarene Church in Miami will be offering food and shelter as well.

Zach’s Cafe, Dawg House and Montana Mike’s in Miami will be offering free hot meals for anyone that can’t afford to feed themselves in the upcoming days of extreme temperatures.

360 Blessings puts on a community event to relieve the cold weather

JOPLIN, Mo. — Joplin residents witnessed good people doing good things in Ewert Park, Saturday.

The group, 360 Blessings came together to put up tarp walls and outdoor heaters for those in need of a break from the cold.

They served pizza, desserts, coffee and hot chocolate.

They had a free clothing store that included hand warmers, coats, hats, gloves, winter clothes and toiletries.

Jason Silvers and Karen Kennedy Founders, says, “There’s a lot of people that have come out and helped a lot of people that has a lot of feedback that has helped us that can help the community and it’s nice to see especially these days coming together for this common goal.”

If you would like to know more about 360 Blessings so you can help someone or receive a help, you can find the link here.

Car batteries could be in jeopardy because of cold weather

JOPLIN, Mo. — The cold weather could take a toll on your car battery.

Typically, a car battery can last three to four years, but after that, their efficiency drops dramatically and can be affected by very hot or cold temperatures.

Some signs of a low or dead battery are the inability to start your car, or your interior and exterior lights are dim.

The best way for battery upkeep is a charging system check at the beginning of each season, along with keeping the terminal connectors clean of any corrosion.

Travis Gamble Joplin Transmission and Auto Center Manager, says, “I don’t think in my career in the automotive industry has seen anybody replace a battery for just preventive maintenance. It’s always you know when you go out and it won’t start.”

It’s also helpful to turn off all lights, wipers and your heater before you turn off your engine.

Air filter and coolant level checks are also highly recommended.