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.
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 can
not always be heard inside of your house and they will
not sound when the power is out. The Out Warning Siren
signals 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).
- In Hamilton County the sirens are sounded for a tornado
warning or a severe thunderstorm warning when a tornado
watch is in effect. The sirens will be sounded as additional
storms enter the area. 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.
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