With spring comes an onslaught of severe weather, and despite bans on mass gatherings across the state of Kansas, storm shelters will remain open to help those in need.

Governor Laura Kelly made the executive order on Tuesday to prohibit all mass gatherings of 50 or more people to help decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, also included in that order were several exceptions to help maintain order in the state. One of those exemptions is listed as "any building being used as part of a government or community response to a natural disaster." This would include storm shelters in Montgomery County and the surrounding areas.

The governor and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment still advise the preservation of social distancing in small groups or in basic day-to-day life. To view the full executive order and a full list of exemptions, follow this link.