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Weather Conditions

More severe weather occurs in the spring and summer than any other time of the year. March through June is considered the prime time for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the Cincinnati area.

For this reason everyone needs to be weather wise and have a plan. Make sure that your entire family knows what to do if severe weather strikes. We can’t prevent severe weather but with some knowledge and planning we can reduce injury and death.

The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency now offers weather alerts by phone, email or text at no charge. For more information, click here.


Below is a list of facts that your entire family should know:

  • The National Weather Service issues a WATCH when conditions are favorable for a severe thunderstorm or a tornado to occur. This does not mean that severe weather is occurring. It means that it could occur. This is when you should pay close attention to the weather.
  • The National Weather Service issues a WARNING when severe weather is only moments away. SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!!!! Tune into local radio and TV for current weather information. They will interrupt programming to bring you emergency weather broadcasts. DO NOT call 911, the fire or police departments for weather information. These systems become extremely busy and sometime overloaded during severe weather.
  • The Outdoor Warning sirens are intended to warn people who are outdoors when severe weather occurs. They are tested on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 12:00 noon. (For test purposes, each test signal sound will last for one minute).
  • The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency determines the criteria for siren activation. This information can be found at: http://www.hamiltoncountyohioema.org/sirens.cfm. When you hear the sirens, SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY and turn on your TV, radio or NOAA weather radio. The sirens NEVER sound for an all clear. Please do not call 911 or the fire or police department for weather information.
  • Do you have a NOAA weather radio? This is your BEST source for up to the minute severe weather information. If you have an older weather radio you might want to purchase a new technology radio. The weather service calls this S.A.M.E. technology which stands for Specific Area Message Encoding. This means that your new radio will only sound and alarm for Hamilton County and you will not be bothered by weather information for other counties.
  • If you have a NOAA weather radio, make sure that it has a good battery in it. You should keep a spare battery close by. You should also have a battery powered AM-FM radio so you can listen to local radio news.
  • Have several battery powered flash lights and extra batteries close by. The power often goes out during severe weather.
  • You and your family should already know where to go for shelter. In a house, stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. The best shelter is in the basement. If you don’t have a basement then go to an interior room or a closet. If you live in a mobile home get out and go to a strong building preferably one with a basement. If you are out doors and can’t get to a building, lay down in a ditch and cover your head. Never seek shelter in an automobile.
  • In a school, church or other public building go the designated pre-planned shelter area.
  • Beware of lightning. Lightning kills over 100 people every year. Don’t take chance! If you see lightning, go inside, stay away from windows, stay off of the telephone, and don’t use electrical appliances.
  • Take a few minutes and go over your severe weather plan with the entire family. Everyone needs to know what action to take when severe weather strikes. The action you take may save your life!!!

For more information on emergency preparedness, vist the Hamilton County EMA at: www.hamilton-co.org/ema

More Information

 

The Madeira & Indian Hill Fire Department can provide you with additional severe weather planning information.

We can provide your group or organization with a program on severe weather information.

Contact the Indian Hill firehouse at 561-7926.