Flood Safety Awareness Week: March 17-21

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness Encourages Ohioans to Prepare Themselves and Their Families Against Flooding

LOVELAND, OHIO NEWS – Natural hazards such as tornadoes and flooding are incidents that typically occur during the spring and summer. But as the Midwestern and Southern states have experienced at the beginning of this year, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and massive flooding can happen at any time, any season.

In early February, heavy rains and strong winds pummeled northern Ohio, resulting in nearly 1,600 reported power outages, thousands of homes and businesses flooded, and seven counties declaring local emergencies. Three of these counties received a federal declaration in August 2007 for flooding.

The National Weather Service, a member of the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, says that flooding is Ohio’s, and the nation’s, most costly and common natural disaster and has declared March 17-21, as Flood Safety Awareness Week. Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 23-29, with a Statewide Tornado Drill on Wednesday, March 26 at 9:50 AM.

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness suggests the following preparedness and mitigation measures for Ohioans to better prepare and protect themselves against flooding:

Know the Terms

• A flood/flash flood WATCH means a flood or flash flood is possible in your area.
• A flood/flash flood WARNING means flooding or a flash flood is already occurring or will occur in your area very soon.

Floods can take several hours to days to develop; Flash floods can take only a few minutes or hours to develop.

Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or a local television or radio station for flood information and possible evacuation orders/instructions.

During a Flood Watch/Warning

• When a flood WATCH is issued, move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home. Fill your vehicle(s) gas tanks, in case an evacuation notice is issued.
• When a flood WARNING is issued, listen to a NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or TV stations for flood information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.