Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno And City Emergency Response Officials Urge City Residents To Take Precautions And Monitor Weather Reports Closely For Updates About The Potential For Severe Weather This Afternoon And Evening

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, City Emergency Response Officials and Springfield School Department Officials just completed their participation on a conference call with the National Weather Service, FEMA and MEMA regarding the potential for severe weather in the area for this afternoon and this evening.

“I urge all residents to pay very close attention to weather reports from our local media regarding the potential for severe weather this afternoon and this evening,” stated Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “Based on the information city emergency response officials and myself received from the National Weather Service, there is a risk for strong winds, hail, flash flooding and the remote possibility of isolated tornadoes,” added Mayor Sarno.

Because of the hazardous weather forecasts, the Springfield Public Schools dismissed all summer school programs at 1:00 p.m., today.  Summer school programing that normally dismissed before 1:00 p.m., was dismissed at their usual time. Additionally, all building permits that have been issued for activities in a school building past 1:00 p.m., today, have been cancelled.

Individuals planning to attend this evening’s Sterns Square Summer Concert event should be advised that it will take place inside at City Stage at 7:30 p.m.  City Stage is located at One Columbus Center, Springfield, Massachusetts. The Springfield Business Improvement District (SPID) advises that tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis and can be picked up at the City Stage box office today until 3:00 p.m., at Theodore's Booze, Blues, and BBQ until they run out, or at the doors at the SBID tent, beginning at 6:00 p.m., until the tickets run out.  Only 400 tickets will be available so people should plan accordingly.
The Springfield Parks Department has cancelled a number of afternoon activities:

•    All ball field permits are cancelled and the City’s Parks Department has been in the process of notifying leagues there will be no games tonight;
•    Parks summer camps, such as Camp Star/Angelina and Camp Wilder closed at 1:00 p.m., today;
•    Outdoor pools and Five Mile Pond will be closing at 2:00 p.m.

The City of Springfield’s Emergency Response Director Robert Hassett urges residents to take the following precautions:

•    If there is an emergency dial 9-1-1;
•    If a severe storm should materialize, people should remain indoors in a sturdy building and away from all windows. People in high rise buildings should stay away from windows and move to the interior of the building and make their way to the ground level via the stairwell;
•    Things outside that can be easily blown around and injure people or damage property should be tied down or moved indoors (trash cans, light lawn furniture, patio umbrellas, etc.);
•    Pets should be brought indoors;
•    Have a flash light and batteries available and avoid using candles;
•    Stay away from any power lines;
•    Do not park vehicles under large trees or branches that could fall from high winds and damage the vehicle;
•    If an electrical power outage occurs, large appliances (air conditioners, electric stoves, etc.) should be turned off to avoid power surges when electricity is restored
•    If a severe storm does pass through the area, residents should remain indoors and off the streets so that emergency response vehicles can respond and the clearing of emergency response routes will not be delayed.