Annual Statewide Tornado Drill- Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 9:50 A.M.

    Posted: 3/18/2025
    COLUMBUS – Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) is urging the community to participate in the annual Statewide Tornado Drill at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, when the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System will be activated. The sirens will sound once for three minutes – a longer tone than used in the regular Wednesday noon test. The test tone will be the same “tornado warning” tone which would be used in an actual tornado warning.

    The 9:50 a.m. March 19th siren activation will be in place of the regular weekly Wednesday noon test of the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System. Area schools, businesses and residents are urged to participate.

    "Last year, Franklin County witnessed firsthand the devastation tornadoes can cause, with four early morning tornadoes striking in late February," said Jeffrey J. Young, Director of Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security. "Being prepared is essential to overcoming any emergency. The annual Statewide Tornado Drill offers us the opportunity to practice and strengthen our emergency plans, ensuring we're ready to respond at any time."

    Reminder - The Franklin County Outdoor Warning Siren System is activated by zones when a Tornado Warning is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). The four warning zones (NW, NE, SW, and SE) were implemented to closely align with warning polygons issued by NWS or the actual location of tornadic activity in Franklin County. The sirens will be activated if the county zone is within the NWS issued polygon. The sirens will remain activated for as long as the warning is in effect but will not sound continuously.  The sirens will sound for three minutes, followed by a seven-minute rest period. This cycle will repeat until the warning is canceled.

    Outdoor warning sirens are intended to alert those who are outside, although they may sometimes be heard indoors. Residents should have multiple ways to receive alerts indoors, such as a NOAA Weather Radio and wireless emergency alerts, including AlertFranklinCounty.org.