COLUMBUS, Ohio – On Wednesday at approximately 9:50 a.m., there will be a state-wide tornado drill that runs in correlation with Severe Weather Awareness Week beginning today. Schools, businesses and households are encouraged to plan and practice their plan during this time. With April just around the corner and tornado season soon to begin, Governor Ted Strickland proclaimed March 22-28 as this years Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The Ohio Emergency Management Association reminds everyone to have a plan, practice the plan, make a supply kit and be prepared. They also encourage individuals to know tornado terms. A tornado watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for the development of tornados. During a watch, people should be ready to implement their plan if threatening weather approaches the area. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been detected by Doppler radar or sighted by storm watchers, seek shelter immediately.
The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness encourages everyone to DUCK:
D-go DOWN to the lowest level of your house
U-get UNDER something
C-COVER your head
K-Keep in the shelter until the storm has passed
Be prepared, know your utility shut-offs at the main switches. If you are a person with special needs make sure you register your name and address with your local emergency departments before any disaster would occur. The safest place during a tornado is a basement. If there is no basement in the structure, go to the lowest level you can into a small, centrally located room. If you are outside with no shelter, lie in a ditch and cover your head with your hands. If you try to seek shelter under a highway or bridge, you will be exposed to stronger winds and flying debris.
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