Severe weather alert systems in place for Cape Girardeau County

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Cape Girardeau County officials are reminding residents of the importance of having multiple sources for severe weather notifications, as tornado sirens are only one part of the alert system.

The county’s outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert residents who are outdoors of potential threats, but they should not be relied upon as the primary source of notification.

To stay informed, residents can sign up for the county’s notification system, which provides severe weather alerts via phone call, text, email, or through Alexa devices. The alerts are available in English and Spanish.

In the event of severe weather, residents can report damage through the county’s damage report form, which helps track storm damage and provides feedback to the National Weather Service.

Sandbags and a limited amount of sand are available at the Cape Girardeau County Emergency Management office, located at 3555 Veterans Memorial Drive.

Emergency Management Directors from the City of Cape Girardeau, City of Jackson, Southeast Missouri State University, and Cape Girardeau County work together to provide a unified response to emergencies, including severe weather events.

Residents are encouraged to stay aware of the weather and have multiple sources for receiving alerts.