The Union County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Union County Sheriff’s Office and City Of Marysville will participate in Wednesday’s statewide tornado drill.
Sirens will be activated at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 21st, the time of the Statewide Tornado Drill. This will take the place of the weekly Wednesday noon siren test. The weekly tests will resume next week.
Officials stressed that tornado sirens are an outdoor warning system.
“Residents and Business’ should have a NOAA weather radio or sign up for the Union County Code Red Weather Notification System to get warnings sent directly to their phones when they are issued by the National Weather Service,” according to the release.
Those wanting to register for the Code Red notifications can visit the City of Marysville, Union County Sheriff or Union County EMA websites and look for the Code Red logo.
The statewide tornado drill is part of the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 18-24.
“If you haven’t already prepared for weather emergencies, Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week would be the ideal time, Sima Merick, executive director of Ohio EMA, wrote in a statement. “Have emergency plans for the different hazards that can occur. Conduct tornado and fire safety drills. Make emergency supply kits for your home, your car, or in case you need to evacuate. Consider purchasing flood insurance.”
Local officials said spring can be a dangerous time in Ohio for weather.
“Tornadoes — along with severe thunderstorms and flooding — are significant weather hazards in Central Ohio, especially in the spring,” according to a release from the Union County EMA.
The EMA is also inviting members of the public to attend a free Weather Spotters course conducted by the National Weather Service (NWS) and sponsored by the Union County Emergency Management Agency. The class will be held AT 6:30 p.m., April 11, at Union County Services Building, 940 London Ave., Marysville.
“SKYWARN storm spotters are citizens who form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather,” according to the National Weather Service’s SKYWARN website. “There can be no finer reward than to know that their efforts have given communities the precious gift of time seconds and minutes that can help save lives.”
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), in an average year, the United States experiences more than 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes. In most years, thunderstorms, tornadoes and lightning caused hundreds of injuries and deaths and billions of dollars of property and crop damages. In an effort to get critical weather information, the NWS established its SKYWARN program with partner organizations.
“SKYWARN is a volunteer program with between 350,000 and 400,000 trained severe weather spotters,” according to the National Weather Service’s SKYWARN website. “These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.”
Officials said that although SKYWARN spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, their main responsibility is to identify and describe severe local storms.
Since the program began in the 1970s, information provided by SKYWARN spotters, coupled with improved technology and data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.
Registration to attend the local class is not required, but is requested to help organizers plan appropriately. Those wanting to register may call (937) 645-2068 or email ema@co.union.oh.us.
A tornado watch is issued by the NWS when conditions are “favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the area” according to the local EMA. Watches are usually issued for four to eight hours. During a tornado watch, residents are advised to review tornado safety plans and be prepared to move to a safe place if conditions worsen. They are also advised to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local TV or radio newscasts for weather updates.
Officials said a tornado warning is issued by the NWS when a tornado has been detected by radar or sighted by storm spotters.
“If a tornado warning is issued for your area, seek safe shelter immediately,” according to the release.
Whether practicing a tornado drill or sheltering during a tornado warning, the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness encourages everyone to 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
Officials said it is important to be prepared before a storm watch or warning is issued.
“Meet with household members to develop a disaster plan to respond to all hazards, including tornado watches and warnings,” according to the release. “Conduct regular tornado drills.”
Officials explained that the safest place to be during a tornado is a basement. If the building has no basement or cellar, residents are advised to go to a small, centrally located room, such as a bathroom or closet or interior hallway, on the lowest level of the building.
“If you are in a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little or no protection from tornadoes,” according to the release. “If you are outside with no shelter, lie in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Do not seek shelter under a highway overpass or bridge. You will be exposed to stronger winds and flying debris.”