DARKE COUNTY – With Friday being the one-year anniversary of the EF2 Tornado that hit Darke County and also the beginning of Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week, which begins March 16, we encourage all our residents to prepare themselves for severe weather.
Tornado Watch – Be Prepared: When conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Be ready to move to a place of safety if the watch is upgraded to a warning or if threatening weather approaches.
Tornado Warning – Take Action: When a tornado is imminent or has been sighted. Warnings indicate impending danger to life and property. Seek safe shelter immediately.
Build a kit and make a plan. This includes having a severe weather kit for home and vehicle and creating an emergency plan/or updating your existing plan.
Be Aware of Hazards in Your Area: Know what hazards can impact your area.
Alerts and Notifications: Getting weather and emergency information from reliable sources is critical. Always have multiple means of receiving communications, such as an NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio and local television media weather apps.
Prepare for a Flood: Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Make a kit including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave quickly or if services are cut off in your area.
Flooded Roadways: Never attempt to cross a flooded road on foot or in a vehicle. It only takes six inches of water to knock an adult off their feet, one foot of moving water can float a vehicle, and two feet of water can carry away most vehicles, including pickup trucks and SUVs. Don’t chance it; find an alternative route!
Outdoor Warning Sirens: Many Ohio counties have outdoor warning sirens that sound when severe weather is imminent. Outdoor warning sirens are designed to be heard outdoors.
