AUGLAIZE COUNTY, Ohio (WLIO) - Ohioans are encouraged to make sure they are ready to go for whenever the next storm strikes.
To promote preparedness, Governor Mike DeWine has declared March 15th through the 21st, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state of Ohio. A statewide tornado drill has been scheduled at 9:50 AM on Wednesday, March 18th with schools, businesses and households recommended to participate. Area municipalities and counties may sound the tornado sirens during this time. Residents should also develop severe weather safety plans before the next storm or tornado as seconds matter when dangerous weather strikes.
"First thing I would do is with everybody having their cell phones, making sure that they have the app - either from Channel 35 news, other weather stations, the National Weather Service - that is on their phone, actually working, set up for their area because that is going to be their first line of defense," said Troy Anderson, Auglaize County EMA Director. "When the notification comes out, it'll actually trip the phones, especially at night."
Anderson also urges residents to plan out where they would need to take shelter in the event a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued.
