It is Severe Weather Awareness Week!

Severe Weather Awareness Week - March 19 – 25, 2023
Statewide Tornado Drill held March 22nd at 9:50 a.m.

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."