Severe Weather Awareness Week - March 19 – 25, 2023

    Posted: 3/20/2023
    COLUMBUS – Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) will recognize Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 19 – 25, 2023.  Residents are reminded to prepare for severe weather before it happens.  Hazardous conditions can occur anytime, anywhere without advance notice.

    As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, FCEM&HS urges the community to participate in the annual Statewide Tornado Drill on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 9:50 a.m. At that time, the Franklin County Outdoor Warning Sirens will be activated one time for three minutes, a longer tone than used during the regular Wednesday noon test. The test tone is the same “tornado warning” tone which would be used in an actual tornado warning.  Area schools, businesses and residents are urged to participate. 

    "Ohio's weather can be very unpredictable. That's why you can never have too many ways to receive emergency information and be prepared," said Jeffrey J. Young, Director, Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security. "Severe Weather Awareness Week is a good time to remind everyone that the outdoor warning sirens are designed to warn people who are outside. For alerts indoors, residents are encouraged to have a NOAA Weather Radio, sign up for emergency management alerts by texting FCReady to 888777 and register for severe weather alerts at alertfranklincounty.org." 

    Reminder: FCEM&HS activates the outdoor warning siren system by zones when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a Tornado Warning for Franklin County. This allows the system to align with the polygons issued by the NWS or the actual location of tornadic activity more closely in the area.  When the warning is issued, the sirens will sound for three minutes followed by seven minutes of silence.  This sequence will repeat until the warning is canceled. 

    Residents are encouraged to be prepared for all types of severe weather by following these important safety procedures:
    • Know the Risk – Learn and understand the different types of weather hazards facing Franklin County.  The top hazards can be found on the agency website at www.fcemhs.org.
    • Know the Weather Terms – Know the difference between a watch and a warning. A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado in and close to the area. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been detected by radar or sighted by storm spotters.
    • Have a Plan - Develop and practice an emergency plan with your family and include your pets. Know how you will communicate and have a designated safe meeting place. 
    • Build a Kit - Build an emergency supply kit.  Be sure to include enough food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity for each member of your household to last for at least 72 hours.  
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