Ohio's Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week: March 17 – 23, 2019

Greene County Public Health will recognize Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week, March 17 – 23, 2019. Residents are reminded to prepare for severe weather before it happens. Hazardous conditions can occur anytime and anywhere without advance notice.

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, Health Commissioner, Melissa Howell, and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Kim Caudill, urge schools, businesses and residents to practice their preparedness skills in the event of a severe storm. “Severe weather and disasters are a certainty, and your family may not be together when something happens. Ohio’s Spring Severe weather Awareness Week is the perfect time to learn what disasters might affect you. Now is the time to ‘Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Prepared’. How you survive depends on what you do before the event, not after”, said Caudill.

Ms. Caudill encourages residents to be prepared for all types of severe weather by following these important safety procedures:

Know the Risk – Learn and understand the different types of weather hazards facing Greene County. The top hazards can be found on our website at http://www.gcph.info/emergency_preparedness/emergency_preparedness__response_specific_hazard. You can also download our new Greene County Emergency Preparedness Guide, which is a handbook for the entire family featuring information on how to make a plan, types of emergencies we could face in Greene County and much more, with areas to take notes and include personal information that is critical in an emergency.

Know the Weather Terms – Know the difference between storm watches and storm warnings. For example, a tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the area. A tornado warning is issued by the NWS when a tornado has been detected by radar or sighted by storm spotters.

Receive Notifications - Register online with Nixle to receive severe weather alerts and important information that can keep you and your family safe. It can be found here: https://local.nixle.com/county/oh/greene/. Residents are encouraged to have a NOAA Weather Radio and tune into TV or radio newscasts for up-to-date weather information.

Have a Plan/Build a Kit - Develop and practice an emergency plan with your family and include your pets. Know how to communicate and have a designated safe meeting place. Build an emergency supply kit. Be sure to include enough food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours.

Commissioner Howell added “Greene County is no stranger to severe weather. The last thing you want to worry about when severe weather hits is what you are going to need or where you will go. Now is the time to prepare.”

For more information about emergency preparedness, please call 937-374-5627 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the website at www.gcph.info.