COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioans are still waiting for winter to loosen its grip and emergency officials are telling them to be prepared for severe spring and summer weather: Tornadoes, thunderstorms and floods.
National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is March 1 – 7.
As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week the state will participate in a statewide tornado drill and test its Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, March 4 at 9:50 a.m.
During this time, Ohio counties will sound and test their outdoor warning sirens. Schools, businesses and households are encouraged to practice their tornado drills and emergency plans.
“Severe Weather Awareness Week is the opportune time to create or review emergency plans to be ready for any incident that can impact your home or community. Whether it’s tornadoes, flash flooding, prolonged power outages or home fires, knowing what to do during an emergency is crucial,” Ohio Emergency Management Agency executive director Evan Schumann said,
In addition to participating in the tornado drill, a departure from its usual Wednesday noon test of the system, Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security will co-host a severe-weather spotter training seminar, arrange for the posting of highway billboards promoting the dangers of floods, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms, said director Michael Pannell.
“Preparedness is the key. Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week provides a timely reminder for residents to plan ahead and know what to do when severe weather strikes,” Pannell said.
The top hazards facing Franklin County can be found on the agency website.
Pannell’s agency has urged more than 1,800 schools, businesses and agencies to take part in tornado drill and complete the Statewide Tornado Drill Participation Survey.
Franklin County’s emergency agency will hold the third yearly Decision Maker Meeting on March 6 to provide the leaders of jurisdictions countywide with information on planning, training, exercises, resource allocation, and funding.
The agency will also co-host with Ohio State University Emergency Management a half-day Severe Weather Spotter Training, conducted by the National Weather Service forecast office in Wilmington, for nearly 350 volunteer severe-weather spotters on March 7.
During the statewide tornado drill, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency will contact all county employees by email alert or overhead paging.
County residents can sign up for the CodeRed notification system, which is specific to particular areas only by visiting the Delaware County website registering land or cell phone numbers with CodeRed to ensure receiving all emergency and/or weather warnings.
Emergency officials remind Ohioans:
The safest place during a tornado is in a basement or windowless interior room on the lowest level of the home or business.
Keep all windows and doors closed to prevent injury from flying debris.
Those who live in mobile homes should seek safe shelter in another location well in advance of the severe weather.
Know Your Risk – Learn and understand the different types of weather hazards that occur in Ohio by visiting the state’s website.
View current weather and learn about severe weather safety and preparedness.
During tornado drills or actual tornado warnings, remember to DUCK!
D – Go DOWN to the lowest level
U – Get UNDER something (like a basement staircase or heavy table or desk)
C – COVER your head
K – KEEP in shelter until the storm has passed
Know the Weather Terms – Know the difference between storm watches and storm warnings.
A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the area.
A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been detected by Doppler radar or sighted by storm spotters. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, do not stop to take pictures or shoot video. Seek safe shelter immediately. Continue to listen to your NOAA Weather Radio or TV or radio newscasts for up-to-date weather information.