The United States Geological Survey has confirmed that Athens County has experienced an earthquake.  At 12:59:40 PM an earth quake registering a magnitude of 3.5 was recorded 4 kilometers ESE of Nelsonville.  Athens County 9-1-1 has received numerous calls from around the county reporting the event but no damage has been reported at this time.  Do not call public safety telephone numbers about the event unless you are report damages.

An earthquake in Ohio??  Yes, Ohio is in a seismic zone.  According to the Ohio Seismic Network, “Southeastern Ohio has been the site of many earthquakes since 1776. The 1776 event, recorded by a Moravian missionary, has a very uncertain location. Earthquakes in 1901 near Portsmouth (Scioto County), in 1926 near Pomeroy (Meigs County), and in 1952 near Crooksville (Perry County) caused minor to moderate damage.”

This is a good reminder to be prepared for any type of disaster. Every spring and fall the county experiences flooding.  Winter brings an assortment of events that can affect our county in a dramatic way.  We need to be prepared at any time to take care of ourselves and family.  Get a kit, make a plan, be informed!!

GET A KIT – You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer.

MAKE A PLAN – Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

BE INFORMED – Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.   In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.

Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as “Tornado Alley.” For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

More emergency preparedness information is available by contacting the Athens County Emergency Management Agency at (740) 594-2261 or on the internet at http://www.athenscountyema.org.

Additional information is available at;
http://www.ema.ohio.gov
http://www.ready.gov
http://www.fema.gov

2013 CHRISTMAS BASKET Q & A

Q:         When can I pick-up an application?

A:         Applications will be available on Friday, November 29^th at 8:00 a.m.

Q:         Where can I pick-up an application?

A:         Applications are available at the Fire Department and the Water Office

Q:         When do I have to have the application turned in?

A:         Applications are due in Saturday, December 7^th by 12 midnight

Q:         Where do I have to live for a Christmas Basket?

A:         Only persons living in the City of Nelsonville or York Township are eligible for a Christmas Basket.  A Nelsonville mailing address does not mean you live in Nelsonville

Q:         Can I have an application filled out by calling on the telephone?

A:         No, applications cannot be accepted over the telephone

Q:         How many applications can I pick-up?

A:         Only 2 applications can be picked up at anytime

Q:         Do I need any ID, or other paper work to complete an application?

A:         No

Q:         Does filling out an application guarantee you a Christmas Basket?

A:         No, Only approved Christmas Baskets will be delivered.  The number of basket delivered will be based on the amount of money raised.

Q:         When will the Christmas Basket be delivered?

A:         Approved Christmas baskets will be delivered on Saturday, December 21^st, between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Q:         Do I have to be home to receive an approved Christmas Basket?

A:       Yes, Christmas Baskets will not be left at house without anyone home.  Basket will also not be left at neighbors houses. If no person is home at an approved address, the delivery crew will try one more time later in the day.

Q:         Can I pick-up my basket if I will not be home?

A:         No, approved basket must be delivered to the approved address on the application

Q:         Do the Christmas Basket include any gifts for children?

A:         No, the Christmas Baskets are food baskets only

The Nelsonville Volunteer Fire Department in cooperation with the York Township Volunteer Fire Department will be holding their 65^th annual Christmas food basket program.  The program started in 1948 when firefighters distributed 14 food baskets.  For this 65^th year firefighters expect to distribute over 200 food baskets at a cost of more than $6,000.  The Parade of The Hills Festival held annually in Nelsonville in late August was established to assist in raising funds for the program.  Funds are still raised by the festival and by soliciting local businesses and groups for their support of the program.

Applications for Christmas food baskets will be available on Friday, November 29^th, and must be returned by Saturday, December 7^th.  Applications will be available at the Nelsonville water office and the Nelsonville Fire Department. Approved Baskets will be delivered on Saturday, December 21^st.  Only residents of Nelsonville and York Township are eligible to apply for a basket.  Persons having questions may call (740) 753-1244.