Tornado sirens will go off Wednesday. What to know about Ohio Severe Weather Awareness Week
Tornado sirens will sound across Ohio on Wednesday. But don't panic; it probably isn't the start of another devastating tornado season like Ohio had in 2024.
Instead, it's a statewide tornado siren test that's part of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio. Here's what to know.
What to do in a tornado? How to keep you and your family safe during severe weather
Gov. Mike DeWine has designated March 16-22, 2025, as Severe Weather Awareness Week, an annual event held each March. He is encouraging all Ohioans to prepare themselves for spring and summer weather hazards, including thunder, lightning, tornadoes and floods.
'Severe weather can impact Ohio at any time of the year, and Severe Weather Awareness Week is a great time to learn about severe weather and how to prepare for it,' DeWine said. 'Being prepared ahead of a disaster is one of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.'
Record year for tornadoes: Like a bad guest, 2024 season came early, stayed late, and was terrible
The statewide tornado drill will be held at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 19. Ohioans are encouraged to participate in the drill and practice their emergency sheltering plans. Ohio counties may use this time to sound and test their outdoor warning sirens and mass notification systems. Schools, households and businesses are also encouraged to practice their tornado drills and emergency plans.
'The statewide tornado drill gives Ohioans a chance to practice safe sheltering before a real severe weather event,' said Ohio Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Sima Merick. 'We encourage all Ohioans to be prepared — stay safe and know what to do when severe weather strikes.'
To be prepared for severe weather, the Ohio EMA offers several safety tips. Among them is having a plan for emergencies and keeping an emergency kit in your home and car.
National Weather Service safety tips include knowing the best locations to wait out a tornado or severe storm
Ohio's tornado season is considered to peak from April through June, according to the National Weather Service. However, tornadoes can and have happened in every month of the year.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tornado sirens will go in Ohio on Wednesday for a statewide test
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