Why are Nelsonville outdoor emergency warning sirens activated?

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The City of Nelsonville has received questions about the outdoor emergency warning sirens in Nelsonville. The outdoor warning siren system is normally tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 12:00 p.m. The monthly test will be cancelled if severe weather is threatening. If severe weather cancels the test, it will be postponed until next month. There are several conditions that result in the warning sirens being activated in Athens County.

  • Severe Weather
    • When the National Weather Service initiates a Tornado Warning for an area that includes areas of Athens County.
    • When the National Weather Service initiates a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (winds 58+ mph, large hail, severe lightning and heavy rain), for an area that includes areas of Athens County.
  • When there is an actual enemy or terrorist attack against the United States has been detected and is threatening areas of Athens County and protective action should be taken immediately.
  • When a public safety emergency occurs, the sirens will be used to alert the public of emergencies such as hazardous materials incidents and civil disturbances.

When the outdoor warning sirens are sounded for an emergency, they will be activated for five minutes. When you hear the warning sirens you should do the following;

DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 to ask why the sirens are sounding as this can overload the 9-1-1 emergency response system.

Remember, outdoor warning sirens are just that, out-door warning. The sirens are signal to people outside to go indoors, seek shelter, and tune your radio or television station to the local Emergency Alert System (EAS) Station. As homes continue to become more energy efficient and sound proofing enhanced, outdoor warning sirens that once could be heard decades ago inside of a home can no longer be heard. That’s why other means of warning are in place.

Go immediately to a safe area in your home or building, if high winds, severe thunder and lightning are present.

If you are outside away from possible shelter, lie flat on the ground away from trees until the storm passes. If in a vehicle, get out and find a more substantial structure.

Carry a battery-operated radio or NOAA all hazard alert radio to your safe area. You will know when the storm or emergency has passed and when it is clear to leave your safe area.

The Athens County outdoor emergency warning sirens DO NOT identify specific types of storms or emergencies; therefore, you should immediately seek shelter and tune to local television or radio for further information.

Athens Co Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 8PM, Mon 8/10/2026, conditions favorable for Severe Thunderstorms, lookout for threatening weather conditions

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The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Athens County in effect until 8:00PM, Monday, August 10, 2026.

Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for Severe Thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. People in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe Thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce Tornadoes.

Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, local TV, radio or your cable television provider for later statements and possible warnings.

Athens Co Flood Watch until 8AM, Fri, 8/14/2026, Excessive runoff may result in flooding of flood-prone locations, monitor forecasts, watch for rapidly changing weather conditions

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The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Athens County until 8:00AM, Friday August 14, 2026.

WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

WHERE…Portions of Southeast Ohio, including the following counties, Athens, Gallia, Jackson OH, Lawrence OH, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton and Washington counties.

WHEN…Until 8:00AM, Friday August 14, 2026.

IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS…A series of weather systems are expected to traverse the area, each bringing potential for heavy downpours and training storms which may cause flooding. http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to act should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

Additional information can be found at https://www.weather.gov/rlx as well as on Twitter and Facebook pages.

Water outage for central area of Buchtel, 8AM, Thu, 8/6/2026, until watermain work completed, followed by boil order for the affected areas until 12PM, Sat, 8/8/2026

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The Nelsonville Utilities Department and DV Weber crews will be tying in a 6-inch water main to the water system, which will cause a water outage for parts of the Village of Buchtel starting at 8:00AM, Thursday, August 6, 2026, and lasting until the watermain work is complete.

The following areas of Buchtel will be affected,

  • Marietta Road from 12th Street to State Route 78, and Franklin Avenue.
  • South Akron Avenue and North Akron Avenue to the end of Lauderback Road.
  • Marietta Street, Water Street. Euclid Avenue.

When water service is restored a boil order will be in effect for the affected areas until 12:00 PM, Saturday, August 8, 2026. When a boil order is in effect, we ask all who are affected to boil their cooking and drinking water for three (3) minutes before being consumed.

Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office reminds property owners that the alleyways behind houses and fences are the property owners’ responsibility to keep the area mowed and clear of noxious weeds

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The City of Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office wants to remind Nelsonville property owners that the alleyways behind houses and fences are the property owners’ responsibility to keep the area mowed and clear of noxious weeds, vines or grasses growing a height of eight (8) inches or higher.

Please contact Austin Kelley, Code Enforcement Officer, if you have any questions or concerns. (740 753-1314 or codeenforcement@cityofnelsonville.com

Nelsonville Public Square CLOSED Thu, 8/6/2026, 7AM until 6PM for the Back-To-School Kickoff event. No parking on Public Square starting at 6:30AM, avoid this area, use alternate route

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The City of Nelsonville announces that the Public Square will be closed to traffic on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 7:00AM until 6:00PM for the Back-To-School Kickoff event. There will be no parking allowed on the Public Square starting at 6:30AM, Thursday, August 6, 2026.

The Back-To-School Kickoff will begin at 10:00AM and run until 4:00PM. If students have not registered, they can register at the event. Parents must bring an ID, and students must be present for the event.

Unauthorized vehicles will be towed away from the area at the owner’s expense. Please avoid this area and use an alternate route.

Monday, August 10, 2026, regular Nelsonville City Council meeting has been canceled, next scheduled meeting Monday, August 24, 2026, at 7PM

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The Nelsonville City Council regular meeting scheduled for Monday, August 10, 2026, has been canceled according to the Nelsonville City Charter §4.05. Meetings. The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6:00PM.

***Regular meetings shall be held at least twice in each calendar month, except that during the months of July and August the Council may dispense with one of its regular Meeting. ***

Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office releases exterior maintenance and minor home repair assistance from regional resources list to the public

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The Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office wants to help address a gap in non-profit services for seniors, disabled and families in Nelsonville for exterior maintenance and minor home repairs. The Code Enforcement Office wants to work with the public to help mitigate home code violations in Nelsonville.

The Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office would like senior, disabled and family homeowners to know there are assistance resources available to help with simple home maintenance. People interested in the assistance programs that are available for our region should refer to the attached resource list to contact and apply for the available assistance resources.

Please contact Austin Kelley, Code Enforcement Officer, if you have any questions or concerns. 8AM- 4PM Monday/Friday (740) 753-1314 or codeenforcement@cityofnelsonville.com.

Assistance programsDownload

Nelsonville Dog Park Board meeting Thu, 7/30/2026, 6PM, at City Hall, the public is invited and encouraged to attend

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The Nelsonville Dog Park Board will hold a meeting on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 6:00PM, at City Hall. The meeting is being held to discuss,

  • Dog Park dedication.
  • Discuss ongoing projects for Ohio One Time Strategic Community Investment Grant, award $130,000.00.

Citizens comments may be made in person or Emailed to nelsonvillecity@gmail.com by 1PM, Thursday, July 30, 2026. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.