You may not have known it, but you are in the middle of Ohio’s Severe Weather Safety Week.
Our friends at Richland Public Health remind us that this is a great opportunity for homes, schools, and businesses to brush up on their knowledge of spring severe weather threats, and to test their safety plans.
These mostly wet March days are a good time to prepare for severe spring weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. So, planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, floods, and tornadoes as if you know in advance they are coming, because in the spring, they very likely will.
- Check the supplies in your emergency First Aid kit and update if needed.
- Prepare your home emergency kit and have one for your car.
- Have a three-day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food on hand.
- Show family members where to seek appropriate shelter.
- Practice your emergency plan for every type of severe weather.
- Show family members where the emergency supplies are stored, and make sure they know how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity in your home.
The Statewide Tornado Drill will take place on Wednesday, March 21 at 9:50 AM. EAS test messages will broadcast and most counties will sound their outdoor warning sirens. Ohioans are encouraged to use this time to practice their tornado drills.
Though we are only in the third month of the year, 2018 has already presented Ohio with numerous hazardous weather events. Several winter storms and cold spells prompted Ohio communities to establish shelters and warming centers. More recently, there has been significant flooding around the state that led the Governor to declare a State of Emergency for 17 counties. On February 25, Ohio saw its first tornado (Clermont County, category EF1), continuing its trend of seeing wintertime tornadoes around the state.
For more about severe spring weather, see the weather tips at richlandhealth.org: https://www.richlandhealth.org/personal-health/weather-safety-tips
