OCH serving as community storm shelter

GRAVETTE — In the event of severe weather this season, area residents may seek cover at Ozarks Community Hospital, which continues to serve as a storm shelter for the local community.

If a tornado warning is issued and Gravette is in the path of the storm, visitors seeking shelter at OCH should enter through the Emergency Room doors, located on the east side of the hospital building, or the front hospital entrance, unless otherwise directed by a hospital employee.

When using the hospital as a shelter, visitors will not be allowed to bring large items or pets of any kind which are not in a carrier, with the exception of registered service animals.

“With the ongoing severe weather this year, we wanted to remind the Gravette community that OCH is an available storm shelter,” said Amanda Gittlein, OCH director of marketing and community relations. “The hospital is structurally sound and able to accommodate a large number of people; we’re grateful to be able to provide that to area residents.”

The OCH Health System is a tri-state safety-net healthcare provider headquartered in Gravette serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Ozarks. Our hospital is based in Gravette and includes clinics located in southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. OCH locations can accept Medicaid, Medicare, UHC Military and other insurances. For more information, visit www.OCH online.com.