The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Athens County from 8:00AM, Wednesday, 3/28/18 until 2:00PM, Friday, 3/30/18.

Excessive rainfall of up to 2.50 inches, with locally higher amounts possible through the watch period. With the ground being wet from previous rains and the expected rainfall, the potential for flooding of small streams and creeks and possibly river flooding is high.  Flooded roads, low lying and poor drainage areas, along streams, creeks and rivers, is possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS; A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

ATHENS COUNTY SNOW EMERGENCY CANCELED
March 21, 2018, 11:10 hours

The snow emergency for Athens County has been canceled. Please drive carefully some hazardous road conditions may still exist in remote areas of the county.

This is the Ohio state-wide TORNADO DRILL!! Consider what actions you would need to take if there was a tornado now!

Whether practicing in a tornado drill or sheltering during a warning, you are encouraged to remember DUCK!

• D – Go DOWN to the lowest level
• U – Get UNDER something
• C – COVER your head
• K – KEEP in shelter until the storm has passed
• Take responsibility for your safety and be prepared before a watch or warning is issued. Meet with household members to develop a disaster plan to respond to tornado watches and warnings. Conduct regular tornado drills. When a tornado watch is issued, review your plan – don’t wait for the watch to become a warning. Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
• Despite Doppler radar, tornadoes can sometimes occur without any warning, allowing very little time to act. It is important to know the basics of tornado safety. Know the difference between tornado watches and tornado warnings.
• Tune in to one of the following for weather information: NOAA Weather Radio, local/cable television (Ohio News Network or the Weather Channel), or local radio station.
• If you are a person with special needs, register your name and address with your local emergency management agency, police and fire departments before any natural or man-made disaster.
• NOAA Weather Radio has available an alerting tool for people who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Some weather radio receivers can be connected to an existing home security system, much the same as a doorbell, smoke detector or other sensor. For additional information, click here.
• The safest place to be during a tornado is a basement. If the building has no basement or cellar, go to a small room (a bathroom or closet) on the lowest level of the structure, away from windows and as close to the center of the building as possible.
• Be aware of emergency shelter plans in stores, offices and schools. If no specific shelter has been identified, move to the building’s lowest level. Try to avoid areas with large glass windows, large rooms and wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways or shopping malls.
• If you’re outside or in a mobile home, find shelter immediately by going to the lowest level of a nearby sturdy building. Sturdy buildings are the safest structures to be in when tornadoes threaten. Winds from tornadoes can blow large objects, including cars and mobile homes, hundreds of feet away.
• If you cannot quickly get to a shelter, get into your vehicle, buckle your seatbelt and try to drive to the nearest sturdy shelter.
• If you experience flying debris while driving, pull over and park. Choose to either stay in your vehicle, stay buckled up, duck down below the windows and cover your head with your hands, or find a depression or ditch, exit your vehicle and use your arms and hands to protect your head. Never seek shelter under highway overpasses and bridges.

ATHENS COUNTY LEVEL 1 SNOW EMERGENCY
March 21, 2018, 06:50 hours

Athens County is under a LEVEL 1 SNOW EMERGENCY.  Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for snow in affect for Athens County from 8:00 PM Tuesday, 3/20/18 until 8:00 PM Wednesday, 3/21/18.

• WHAT – Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 2 inches, with localized amounts up to 4 inches, are expected.
• WHERE – Portions of southeast Ohio and central and the northern West Virginia lowlands.
• WHEN – From 8 PM this evening to 8 PM Wednesday.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS – Plan on slippery road conditions, including during the morning commute on Wednesday. Expect reduced visibilities at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS; A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving. Additional information can be found at http://www.weather.gov/rlx as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Athens County from 1:00AM until 8:00PM Wednesday, 3/21/18.

• WHAT – Heavy wet snow possible. Total snow accumulations of up to 6 inches are possible.
• WHERE – Portions of southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and central, northeast, northern, southeast and southern West Virginia.
• WHEN – From late Tuesday night through Wednesday evening.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS – Plan on difficult travel conditions. Significant reductions in visibility are possible. Snowfall will be heavy and wet which may cause power outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS; A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

The National Weather service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Athens County from 3AM to 1PM, Saturday, 3/17/2018.

• WHAT – Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch are expected.
• WHERE – Portions of southeast Ohio and northern West Virginia.
• WHEN – From 3 AM to 1 PM Saturday.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS – The ice will result in difficult travel conditions. Plan for slippery road conditions early Saturday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS; A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. Additional information can be found at http://www.weather.gov/rlx as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

ATHENS COUNTY SNOW EMERGENCY CANCELED
March 8, 2018, 14:30 hours

The snow emergency for Athens County has been canceled. Please drive carefully some hazardous road conditions may still exist in remote areas of the county.

ATHENS COUNTY LEVEL 1 SNOW EMERGENCY
March 8, 2018, 09:30 hours

Athens County is under a LEVEL 1 SNOW EMERGENCY. Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously.

ATHENS COUNTY LEVEL 2 SNOW EMERGENCY
March 8, 2018, 07:40 hours

Athens County is under a LEVEL 2 SNOW EMERGENCY.  Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.