SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR ATHENS CO UNTIL 2PM THUR, 6/13, WATCH FOR CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR ATHENS CO UNTIL 2PM THUR, 6/13, WATCH FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER

REMEMBER, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS 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.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHERN ATHENS CO INCLUDING NELSONVILLE AND GLOUSTER UNTIL 330 AM.

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Severe Thunderstorm Warning

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHERN ATHENS CO INCLUDING NELSONVILLE AND GLOUSTER UNTIL 330 AM.

AT 252 AM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 14 MILES NORTHEAST OF PERRY STATE FOREST TO 10 MILES WEST OF SHAWNEE OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM ZANESVILLE TO 6 MILES NORTH OF LOGAN MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BURR OAK STATE PARK, TRIMBLE, JACKSONVILLE, CHAUNCEY, BUCHTEL AND AMESVILLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS, CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.  REMEMBER, IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER, YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 AM THURSDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHEAST OHIO.

PLEASE REPORT HAIL OR STRONG WIND TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY CALLING TOLL FREE 800-401-9535, WHEN YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

YOU MAY ALSO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER BY POSTING YOUR REPORT TO THE CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FACEBOOK PAGE OR BY USING THE TWITTER HASHTAG, NWSRLX.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR ATHENS CO UNTIL 6AM THU MORNING 6/13/13. WATCH FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR ATHENS COUNTY UNTIL 6:00 AM THURSDAY MORNING JUNE 13, 2013.  WATCH FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

REMEMBER, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS 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.

Wayne National Forest, “Fee-Free” Days Scheduled for Fri 6/7 and Sat 6/8

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Wayne National Forest Sign

In observance of National Get Outdoors Day, Forest Supervisor Anne Carey announces that the Wayne National Forest will offer a fee waiver this Friday, June 7 until Saturday, June 8, 2013. The fee waiver includes all recreation sites and trails.

Recreation sites include campgrounds, picnic shelters, and swim areas, including sites that are reservable through the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) at http://www.recreation.gov/.  A $9.00 reservation fee remains in effect for those reserving recreation sites online.

One of the favorite attractions on the Forest is the over 360 miles of multiple-use trails, which include horse, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), off-highway motorcycle (OHM), mountain bike, and hiking trails.  Trail permits are required to ride ATV, OHM, mountain bike, and horse trails during the open season (April 15 through December 15), with exception of designated “Fee-Free” days.

“These “Fee Free” days are a great way to experience a sense of adventure in the great outdoors, promote healthy living, and create lasting memories with family and friends,” said Carey.

The 241,000 acre Wayne National Forest offers a variety of recreation opportunities, including camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, nature viewing, canoeing, and much more. For more information, visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/wayne .  Follow the Wayne National Forest on Twitter: @waynenationalfs

Athens County Emergency Warning Sirens will be tested June 5that 12 noon

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Siren Test

The outdoor emergency warning sirens in Nelsonville and The Plains will be tested at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, with a one minute sounding of the sirens. This time change is so Athens County can participate in the statewide tornado drill.  Local residents are asked not to call local emergency agencies inquiring why the sirens are sounding.

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 the next month.  There are three conditions that result in the warning sirens being activated in Athens County.

1)     Severe Weather

a)     When the National Weather Service initiates a Tornado Warning for an area that includes areas of Athens County.

b)     When the National Weather Service initiates a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (winds 58+ mph, large hail, severe lightening and heavy rains), for an area that includes areas of Athens County.

2)     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.

3)     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 meant to be heard outside to signal you to go indoors 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 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.

Hocking Parkway closed to through traffic at Hocking College, 5/30 – 6/2 for Nelsonville Music Festival

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MusicFest Road Closed

The 9th Annual Nelsonville Music Festival is returning to the beautiful rolling hills of Southeastern Ohio May 30th – June 2nd for four days that celebrates music and local artistry of the region. The festival offers a warm, accepting environment where local artisans can sell and be recognized for their work, where local, regional and national musicians instill their awe-inspiring talents and festival goers can relax and enjoy the fruits of the regional flavor.

The City of Nelsonville, Hocking College and festival organizers have worked hard to develop a traffic control plan to maintain traffic flow in and around Nelsonville during the festival.

On Thursday morning, May 30th traffic cones will be placed on Loop Road, on the hocking College Campus making it TWO WAY TRAFFIC roadway.  Signs will be posted.  ALL parking on Loop Road is prohibited.  At approximately 4:00 p.m. Hocking Parkway will be closed to through traffic from the Daycare building to the Bookstore intersection for the duration of the festival.  All traffic will be routed on Loop Road.  All THROUGH TRAFFIC will use the Loop Road detour for the duration of the festival.  THROUGH TRAFFIC is encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

Persons attending the Nelsonville Music Festival will need to follow the routes below:

From the South (Athens, SR 691): Vehicles will follow the Loop Road detour around Hocking College.  At the stop sign at the intersection they will proceed straight and be directed into a parking lot.  There is no through traffic.

From the North (Logan, Canal St.): At the stop sign Festival traffic will turn LEFT and be directed to park in a parking lot.

Hocking Parkway should be re-opened to normal traffic on Sunday evening June 2nd after the Festival has closed.

Nelso_Music_Festival_Traffic_Map