Excelsior Springs, Mo. – With spring storm season in full swing and severe weather threats looming, the Excelsior Springs Fire Department is reminding residents of the protocols for accessing local FEMA storm shelters and the importance of staying weather aware.
Earlier this week, ESFD shared a public safety message to clear up common misconceptions about the FEMA shelters at Lewis Elementary and Cornerstone Elementary. These facilities are designed to provide near-absolute protection during extreme wind events like tornadoes and straight-line windstorms.
FEMA Shelters: When Are They Open?
Many residents assume the FEMA shelters are always accessible during stormy conditions. However, they are only opened to the public under specific criteria and during non-school hours.
According to the Excelsior Springs Fire Department, the shelters will be opened when:
A storm currently producing tornadoes is heading toward the area
The National Weather Service identifies a storm with significant tornado potential on track for Excelsior Springs
Wind speeds are projected to exceed 75 miles per hour
In these cases, members of ESFD or ESPD may open the shelters on-site, or the Excelsior Springs School District’s Safety and Security Team may open them remotely.
Shelters are not opened for general severe weather watches or typical thunderstorms, and residents should not attempt to access the buildings unless an official announcement has been made.
How Will You Know If a Shelter Is Open?
ESFD will post an official alert on their Facebook page as soon as they decide to open the shelters. This public notice should give residents enough time to drive safely to the shelter before a storm strikes.
However, ESFD cautions that not all storms allow for a timely shelter opening. “If we are unable to open shelters before a dangerous storm reaches the area,” the department stated, “please shelter in place and avoid travel.”
Residents are urged to have a backup plan and identify the safest location in their homes, typically a basement or interior room on the lowest level without windows.
Outdoor Sirens: What They Do (and Don’t) Mean
The City’s outdoor warning sirens are not designed to be heard indoors. They are meant to alert people outside that a tornado warning is active or a funnel cloud has been confirmed in the immediate area. ESFD officials have repeatedly stated that the outdoor sirens should not be residents’ sole means of receiving storm warnings. Having multiple ways to get emergency weather alerts is essential for storm safety.
Sirens will only be activated if:
A tornado is visually confirmed by trained weather spotters or
The National Weather Service issues a radar-indicated tornado warning
Be Weather Ready: Tips from Emergency Officials
To stay informed and safe during tornado season, ESFD encourages every household to:
Keep a NOAA Weather Radio nearby and programmed to your location
Download a reliable weather app with emergency push alerts enabled
Monitor local television or radio stations during weather watches and warnings
Charge your devices in advance and have flashlights or backup batteries ready
Practice your shelter plan with your family so everyone knows what to do when time is short
Community Responsibility and Safety
Excelsior Springs Fire Assistant Fire Chief Camron White has previously emphasized the importance of personal preparedness, especially during fast-moving storm systems, saying that crews will do everything in their power to protect the public, but they also need residents to be proactive and stay informed.
The FEMA shelters are a valuable asset in Excelsior Springs’ storm response strategy, but they’re only one tool for staying safe. Making a plan, staying alert, and acting quickly remain the most important steps anyone can take when severe weather is forecast.
For real-time updates and shelter activation notices, follow the Excelsior Springs Fire Department on Facebook.
Article Correction 6/2/25 11:45am: Originally the article stated there was a FEMA shelter at the Excelsior Springs Middle School but should have been Lewis Elementary. The story has been corrected.
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