Emergency Response - Severe Weather

Background Information

Severe Weather - "Watch"

  • Be alert to possible severe weather conditions.
  • Conditions are right for severe weather. This tells you when and where severe weather is likely to occur.
  • Watch the sky and stay tuned to radio or television for information.

Severe Weather - "Warning"

  • Indicates imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm or hazard.
  • All outdoor and open area activities should be closely monitored and suspended, if possible, until the threat has passed.
  • Be alert when severe weather is confirmed to be in the area and has been sighted.
  • Be prepared and close enough to a permanent building that you can get into it with short notice.

Action Steps

Steps to take if caught in severe weather:

  • Be alert to possible weather conditions.
  • Monitor local radio/television for information. 
  • Stay or get indoors.

Steps to take if caught in severe weather:

  • Lightening is generally associated with these storms. Time is critical and moving to an interior room must be done quickly. People outdoors should move indoors to a permanent facility interior room.
  •  Ensure that you are in a permanent building and not a temporary structure such as a trailer, automobile, truck, or pole building.
  • Move to an interior room away from windows.
  • Monitor 970 WATH AM Radio or WOUB Cannel 20 Television for Watch & Warning details.
  • If you hear thunder you are in close proximity to lightning and a possible lightning strike.

Remember the 30/30 Lightning safety rule:

  • Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to thirty (30) before hearing thunder and stay indoors for thirty (30) minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

Check road conditions online at: http://www.buckeyetraffic.org