Severe weather could impact Fire in the Sky
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Impending storms could impact Columbia's annual Fire in the Sky event on Thursday.
The event is held every Independence Day at Stephens Lake Park and includes food trucks, music, children's activities and a fireworks display. On the event's Facebook page, Columbia Parks and Recreation responded to a commenter -- who asked if there were plans for potential severe weather -- saying it will make an announcement about the event on Thursday morning.
The ABC 17 New Stormtrack Weather Team has declared Thursday a Weather Alert Day because of the potential of severe storms, which could include hail. Those storms are expected to occur between noon and midnight.
The event has safety plan, which includes guidance on medical emergencies, public disturbances, severe weather and more. Fire in the Sky is currently set to begin at 6:30 p.m., with the fireworks show occurring at 9:15 p.m.
The plan states that if there is severe weather, the event's command center at Riechmann Pavilion will coordinate with Boone County Joint Communications, and the public will be notified within 30 minutes of a storm arriving. Announcements can be made over the PA system at the Stage and Activity Area, but staff may also tell attendees to seek shelter. The event will be patrolled by Columbia's police and fire departments.
If severe storms occur, attendees at Riechmann Pavilion are able to shelter in place, but the plan also recommends attendees to shelter in cars, if applicable, or in the bottom floor of the Williams Street parking garage. Documents made sure to include that patrons should not be encouraged to seek shelter under trees.
According to previous reporting, many of Boone Hospital’s parking lots will be available for public use for the event. Parking is available at the city's parking garages around town, and a shuttle service will be available to-and-from each garage from 5-11 p.m.
Fireworks for the event's climax are protected from weather and are ready to go, rain or shine, according to J and M Displays Display Operator Dave Helmick. He said the timing of the fireworks show is more based on the event sponsors.
"In the case of severe weather, we will set the show as it's intended. We'll have it ready to go as it was scheduled," Helmick said, "If we do have a small cell go through, we could delay it at the sponsors request."
ABC 17 News reached out to Columbia Parks and Recreation.
