Tornado Watch Looms Over Ballwin, Ellisville

Emergency management officials are asking Ballwin and Ellisville residents to take precautions up through this evening's tornado watch, which expires at 9 p.m.

Julie Phillipson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, said a potent storm system is moving across the central U.S., which is due in part to a warm front coming in from the south.

“Winds from the south are kind of giving us the warmer temperatures and higher  dew points that make things kind of soupy out here.”

The National Weather Service indicated those factors could make for strong tornadoes, as well as "hail larger than golf ball-sized" and possible violent winds and heavy rainfall.

Kim Bacon, spokesperson for the West County EMS & Fire Protection District, reiterated that the tornado watch should not be confused with a warning, which means a tornado actually has been spotted

Still, Bacon said, residents shouldn’t underestimate potential weather damage.

“Tornadoes are pretty violent storms. So they can result in injuries and fatalities. And we’ve seen that – maybe not directly in this region, but it can happen.”

She said residents should seek shelter in a basement whenever possible, especially if the tornado watch is upgraded to a warning.

“A ‘watch’ just means conditions are favorable. A ‘warning’ means a tornado has been sighted. So if you’re under a tornado warning, seek shelter.”

Vehicles, including secured mobile homes or trailers, offer little if any protection, Bacon said. If residents don’t have access to a basement, they should at least find the centermost room of the building they are in, away from glass, windows or any exterior-facing walls.

Assistant Fire Chief Ed Beirne of the Metro West Fire Protection District said that beyond finding safe shelter, preparedness is key. Residents in the affected areas should make sure one or more flashlights are on hand in case of a power outage, he said.

“Probably the most inconvenient thing you’ll have to deal with is being out from electricity for a while,” Beirne said.

Beirne also said extra batteries, as well as a few supplies such as some canned foods or bottled water, sometimes are in order.

Residents can stay updated on the tornado watch status online through the National Weather Service website under the "Hazardous Weather Outlook" link in red. They also can receive radio updates through 162.550 AM.