Why tornado sirens sounded in north central Ohio on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Tornado sirens were scheduled to be activated several times north of Franklin County on Wednesday afternoon as part of a testing project which is expected to be completed within a few weeks.
According to the Richland County Emergency Management Agency, tornado sirens will be heard throughout the county during a testing period, Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. The testing is being done as part of the MARCs Siren digital upgrade project.
Why did a Franklin County tornado siren go off this week?
The sirens may also be heard in surrounding north central Ohio counties, including Knox, Morrow, Crawford, Ashland and Huron counties. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
In an average year, Ohio experiences approximately 22 tornadoes. In 2024, however, tornado sirens became all too familiar in central Ohio, in which dozens of tornadoes touched down, beginning in late February and March, setting early-season records for storm outbreaks.
In the wake of destruction throughout the state, Ohio saw 74 tornadoes touch down last year, far exceeding the record of 62 set in 1992.
The record was officially broken on June 29 last year after a tumultuous six months of severe weather. February and March were particularly violent, beginning on Feb. 28 with an onslaught of storms that ripped through Franklin, Licking, Madison, Clark and Montgomery counties.
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In March, three people were killed during storms, including an EF-3 tornado that ripped through the Indian Lake region. Other tornadoes associated with the storm were seen in Licking, Richland, Crawford, Hancock and Delaware counties.
Delaware County's twister damaged parts of the Olentangy Berlin athletic facility, particularly the baseball field, which lost its scoreboard. It also caused extensive damage to nearby homes and businesses along Berlin Station Road.
In May, 23 tornadoes were confirmed in a historic run of severe weather.
Should inclement weather play a factor on Wednesday, the agency said testing will be conducted on Thursday. For your most accurate forecast from Storm Team 4, click here. Stick with NBC4 and Storm Team 4 on-air and online in the event of severe weather warnings.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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