Annual Statewide Tornado Drill is Friday, March 6, 2015 at 9:50 a.m.
Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security – 2015 Tornado Drill
Due to the inclement weather forecast for Ohio, the National Weather Service and the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness has postponed the Statewide Tornado Drill until Friday, March 6 at 9:50 am.
Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) is urging the community to participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill when the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System will be activated. The sirens will be activated one time for three minutes – a longer tone than in the regular Wednesday noon tests. The test tone will be the same “tornado warning” tone which would be used in an actual tornado warning.
The siren activation, now scheduled for Friday, March 6 at 9:50 am will be in place of the regular weekly Wednesday noon test of the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System.
For more information contact Tom Hirschy, emergency management coordinator at thirschy@dublin.oh.us.
Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week – March 1 – 7, 2015
With the spring season comes the possibility of flooding, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, and associated hazards such as hail, high winds, lighting strikes, and power outages. Planning ahead, knowing how to communicate, organizing a disaster kit and practicing safety drills are key to being able to handle such fast-developing spring storms and will help minimize injury and property damage.
What to do before severe weather strikes:
- Put as many walls and floors as possible between you and the tornado
- A basement is one of the best places to go, but if there is no basement, go to an interior room on the lowest floor, such as a bathroom or closet
- Cover yourself with a blanket or mattress to protect yourself from possible flying debris
- Stay away from exterior walls or glass enclosed places and windows
- Make yourself as small as possible and remember to protect your head
- Keep a disaster kit in your home in case of emergencies (battery powered weather radio, flashlight, blankets, cell phone, batteries, etc.)
- When it looks like severe weather is approaching, monitor your local radio or television for current weather information and further instructions.
- Sign up for the Dublin Emergency Calling System, which alerts residents and businesses in times of crisis.
- Read additional emergency preparedness tips here. (Links to http://dublinohiousa.gov/dev/dev/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/30-tips-mergency-preparedness.pdf)
Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security also provides additional information about the risks facing Franklin County at www.fcemhs.org. The site offers key definitions, such as the difference between storm watches and storm warnings. A watch indicates conditions are favorable, while a warning means the conditions have been spotted or are possible.
The FCEMHS will be co-hosting a free half-day Severe-Weather Spotter Seminar March 1st. The event is being sponsored with Ohio State University Emergency Management and by the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Wilmington. The training will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, at The Ohio State University in Columbus.
