Don’t have a basement? Here’s a list of tornado shelters around the metro:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - With Severe Storm Season in full swing around the metro, area agencies have urged those in need to take advantage of public tornado shelters.

Public shelters around the metro include:

• FEMA Shelters
  • Shelters will be opened during tornado watches. No pets, alcohol or smoking is allowed, however, lawn chairs, blankets and other small comfort items are welcome. Shelter openings will be announced on NIXLE and Emergency Management social media pages. The shelters are not always able to open during severe weather events.
    • Bates County
      • Rich Hill School District, 320 E. Poplar St., Rich Hill, Missouri
    • Cass County
      • Archie R-V School District, 801 W. North Ave., Belton, Missouri
    • Clay County
      • Camp Branch Marina - 17201 Paradesian St., Smithville, Missouri
      • Paradise Pointe Marina - 180th St., Smithville, Missouri
    • Jackson County
      • James Lewis Elementary School, 717 NW Park Rd., Blue Springs, Missouri
      • James Walker Elementary School, SE Sunnyside School Rd., Blue Springs, Missouri
      • McCoy Park, 24 Highway and N. Delaware St., Independence, Missouri
      • George Owens Nature Park, 1601 Speck Rd., Independence, Missouri
      • Kansas City Parks & Recreation, 4600 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, Missouri
      • Oak Grove R-VI Schools, Performing Arts Center, 605 SE 12th St., Oak Grove, Missouri
    • Nodaway County
      • Maryville R-II School District Community Safe Room, 1503 S. Munn Ave., Maryville, Missouri
    • Pettis County
      • Green Ridge Storm Shelter, 207 N. Ohio St., Green Ridge, Missouri
      • Lamonte Storm Shelter, 304 W. Front St., Lamonte, Missouri
      • Houstonia Storm Shelter, 305 W. Tuck St., Houstonia, Missouri
      • Hughesville Storm Shelter, 16135 Highway H, Hughesville, Missouri
      • Maplewood Storm Shelter, 3174 Highway TT, Maplewood, Missouri
      • North Sedalia Storm Shelter, 200 E. Clay St., Sedalia, Missouri
      • Skyline Storm Shelter, 2505 W. 32nd St., Sedalia, Missouri
      • Smithton Storm Shelter, 105 E. Marvin St., Smithton, Missouri
      • Smith-Cotton Jr. High Storm Shelter, 312 E. Broadway Blvd., Sedalia, Missouri
    • Ray County
      • Cornerstone Elementary School, 1901 Wornall Rd., Excelsior Springs, Missouri
      • Southwest Elementary School, 307 W. Moss St., Lawson, Missouri
      • Dear Elementary Gymnasium, 701 E. Main St., Richmond, Missouri
• Metropolitan Community College
  • In the case of weather emergencies, including a tornado, college officials said those on campus should seek shelter inside the closest storm shelter until notified that it is safe to leave. Those who take advantage of these shelters have been asked to proceed to the nearest inner room or stairwell away from windows if there is not enough time to get to a shelter. Stay away from electrical lines and devices. Campus shelters include:
    • MCC - Blue River - Arts and Sciences Building, 20301 E. 78 Highway, Independence, Missouri
    • MCC - Longview - Cultural Arts Center, 500 SW Longview Rd., Lee’s Summit, Missouri
    • MCC - Maple Woods - Campus Center, 2601 NE Barry Rd., Kansas City, Missouri
    • MCC - Penn Valley - Educational Center, 3201 SW Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri
    • AC & BP - Penn Valley Educational Center, 3201 SW Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri
• The Gardner Justice Center - 16540 Moonlight Rd., Gardner, Kansas
  • This location will only be open as a storm shelter during active tornado warnings. After normal business hours, the Gardner Police Department said an officer will be sent as quickly as possible to unlock the front doors and allow public access. While pets are discharged due to the shelter’s layout, no one will be turned away. If pets are brought, they are required to be on a leash and under control at all times.

Local emergency management leaders have warned community to have a plan in place so they are not caught in dangerous situations. Safety is the priority.

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