In regards to tornado safety, all agree that the best options are to go to an underground shelter, basement or safe room.

If no underground shelter or safe room is available, the safest alternative is a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building, such as an interior bathroom. Residents of mobile homes should go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter, if a tornado threatens.

If caught outdoors, seek immediate protection in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly get to a shelter:

• Immediately get into your vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the nearest sturdy shelter.
• If you experience flying debris while driving, pull over and park. You must quickly choose from the following options:
  • Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt buckled. Put your head down below the windows, covering your head with your hands. Use a blanket or jacket, if available.
  • If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your vehicle and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands

Your decision should be driven by your specific circumstances.

Most importantly, if you find yourself outdoors or in a vehicle when a tornado is approaching and you are unable to get to a safe shelter, you have decisions to make and actions to take – quickly. You are at risk from a number of things outside your control, such as the strength and path of the tornado and the flying debris from your surroundings. You are at risk whether you choose to stay in your vehicle or seek shelter in a depression or ditch.  Both are considered last-resort options that provide little protection.  The safest place to be during a tornado is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.

A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages.

Know the Difference

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch – Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning – Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.  Every year people are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms despite advance warning. While some did not hear the warning, others heard the warning and did not pay attention to it. The information in this section, combined with timely watches and warnings about severe weather, may help save lives.

Every year people are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms despite advance warning. While some did not hear the warning, others heard the warning and did not pay attention to it. The information in this section, combined with timely watches and warnings about severe weather, may help save lives.

Responding appropriately during a thunderstorm

• Listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lightning flashes or increasing wind.
• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur. Many people struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is occurring.
• If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building or in a vehicle with the windows closed. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. If thunder roars, go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
• Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
• Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.
• Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.
• If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.

If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe.

Due to the National Weather Service Forecast of a Complex Winter Weather Pattern for the State of Ohio, the Wednesday, March 4th STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL has been postponed until Friday, March 6th at 9:50 am.

Emergency Alert System test messages and sounding of outdoor warning sirens will be conducted during this time.

The National Weather Service forecasts a wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain, heavy rain and heavy snow. For current Ohio weather advisories, watches and warnings, visit the NWS site: http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/oh.php?x=1

Know what to do…

Before a Flood

• Check with your local floodplain administrator to determine if you live in a flood-prone area. Lists of floodplain administrators are maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at: www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/7/floodpln/communitylist.pdf
• Consider purchasing flood insurance. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in any Ohio community that participates in the program.
• Ensure that your home emergency plan includes an evacuation route, in case you must leave your home in a hurry. Practice your plan.
• Learn more about flood safety, your flood risks, and flood insurance at: http://www.floodsmart.com.

During a Flood

• If indoors, listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local news station for the latest emergency information. If your area is advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• If outdoors, climb to higher ground and stay there. Avoid walking or driving through any floodwater.
• Turn Around. Don’t Drown. Never drive through a flooded roadway. More than 70% of flood deaths occur when people purposely enter flood water. Do not attempt to cross flood water on foot or allow children to play in/near floodwaters.

During a Flood

• Listen to local alerts and warning systems for emergency information.
• Emergency workers are responding. Return home when authorities indicate it is safe.

Know the Terms

Flood: A condition that occurs when water overflows the natural or artificial confines of a stream or body of water, or accumulates by drainage or low-lying areas.

General River Flooding: A condition that follows heavy rain, snow melt or a combination. River flooding typically occurs slowly, allowing more time to take protective measures. Extreme flash flooding or a break up of an ice jam can produce more rapid river rises.

Urban and Small Stream Floods: Flooding occurs when heavy rain falls, resulting in flooding streets, underpasses or drainage ditches in urban areas, and creeks in rural areas. This flooding is dangerous if motorists drive through a flooded roadway or if children play near a storm drain or drainage ditch.

Flash Floods: Rapid and life-threatening floods resulting from heavy rains that occur in a short period of time.

Flood Watch: A flood watch is issued for the potential of rapid flooding. A flood watch may also be issues when the onset of flooding is much slower, usually greater than six hours.

Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood warning signifies a short duration of intense or rapid flooding of counties, communities, streams, or urban areas.

The Athens County area is expecting rain later this week. To avoid flooding in the streets please take the time to clear the snow from storm drains. A little time now may save you a big problem later this week!