Statewide tornado drill cancelled today
Due to increased potential for severe weather in the state and in conjunction with our partners within the National Weather Service, the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) is canceling the outdoor warning siren activation for the statewide tornado drill scheduled for 9:50 a.m. on March 23.
The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the severe weather outlook to “slight” for a large portion of Ohio, therefore, sirens will not go off and be tested as originally planned, to avoid confusion. OCSWA continues to reinforce that Severe Weather Awareness Week is an opportunity for Ohio to increase understanding of Ohio’s severe weather threats and most importantly, to practice your tornado safety plans and drills.
Ohioans should remember that severe weather can happen any time of the year, and to remain vigilant by practicing severe weather plans all year long.
Thunderstorms affect Ohio the most in the spring and summer months, according to a news release from Wayne County Emergency Management Agency. These storms can produce heavy rainfall, flash flooding, damaging winds, lightning, hail and tornadoes.
Also, a Skywarn Spotter Training is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday March 24 at Wooster Foursquare Church, 3670 Friendsville Road, Wooster. This training is offered by the National Weather Service to train local weather spotters how to identify severe weather patterns. Weather reports from trained spotters helps the National Weather
Service confirm what they see on radar. Seating is limited and there is no cost for this training, however, registration is required. To register, text 2022WCSKYWARN to 69310.
As spring severe weather season approaches, this is a good time to make or review your safety plan for your family, loved ones and at your place of business. In Ohio, tornadoes can occur almost any time of the year. Planning ahead will lower the chances of injury or death during a severe weather event. When practicing tornado drills, remember to “DUCK” –go DOWN to the lowest level, get UNDER something, COVER your head and KEEP in shelter until the storm has passed.
Valuable weather related information can be found on the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness website at www.weathersafety.ohio.gov.
