Watches, Warnings and Alerts
Severe Weather Alerts
A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour (50 knots). Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people, some years, than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding. High winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages. Every year people are killed or seriously injured because they didn’t hear or chose to ignore severe thunderstorms warnings.
A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour (50 knots). Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people, some years, than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding. High winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages. Every year people are killed or seriously injured because they didn’t hear or chose to ignore severe thunderstorms warnings.
- Listen to the local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm- darkening skies, lightning flashes, or increasing wind.
- If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. If thunder roars, go indoors! Don’t wait for rain. Lightning can strike out of a clear blue sky.
- Avoid electrical equipment and corded telephones. Cordless phones, cell phones and other wireless handheld devices are safe to use.
- Keep away from windows.
- If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends.
- If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building- avoid high ground, water, tall, isolated trees, and metal objects (fences, bleachers). Picnic shelters, dugouts, and sheds are NOT safe.
More information can be found here – Lighting Safety
Watches vs. Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Be Prepared! Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. The watch area is typically large- covering numerous counties or even states. (Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center of the NWS for counties where severe thunderstorms may occur.)
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Take Action! Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Take shelter in a substantial building. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a large hail or damaging wind identified by a NWS forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/public official who is watching the storm. (Warnings are issued by your local NWS forecast office.
More information can be found here – Severe Thunderstorm
Tornado Watch: Be Prepared! A Tornado Watch means that tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
Tornado Warning: Take Action! A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on Radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
More information can be found here – Tornado Safety
Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
Flood Watch: Be Prepared! A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
More information can be found here – Flood Safety
Winter Storm Watch: Be Prepared! are issued when conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm event (heavy sleet, heavy snow, ice storm, heavy snow and blowing snow or a combination of events.)
Winter Storm Warning: Take Action! A Winter Storm Warning is issued for a significant winter weather event including snow, ice, sleet or blowing snow or a combination of these hazards. Travel will become difficult or impossible in some situations. Delay your travel plans until conditions improve.
Snow Level Classifications
Under Ohio Law, the County Sheriff has the responsibility to monitor snow conditions and to declare a “Snow Emergency” when it has been determined that use of highways/roadways by motorists is a threat to maintaining the public peace.
Snow Alert Level One: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously. No roadways are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged.
Snow Advisory Level Two: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads.
All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.
Snow Emergency Level Three: Ice, blowing and drifting snow has created extremely hazardous road conditions. Low visibility, extremely low temperatures, and worsening road conditions have caused the closing of all or certain County roads to all but emergency and essential persons. No one should be on roadways unless absolutely necessary.
All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.
Snow Alert Level One: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously. No roadways are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged.
Snow Advisory Level Two: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads.
All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.
Snow Emergency Level Three: Ice, blowing and drifting snow has created extremely hazardous road conditions. Low visibility, extremely low temperatures, and worsening road conditions have caused the closing of all or certain County roads to all but emergency and essential persons. No one should be on roadways unless absolutely necessary.
All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest.
To view the state’s weather-related road closures and restrictions, visit the Ohio Department of Transportation’s traffic website at www.ohgo.com.
