Lakewood Participates In Severe Weather Awareness Week

LAKEWOOD, OH - March 19 through March 25 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio and the City of Lakewood is participating in a variety of ways. At 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, the city tested its emergency siren system, to the chagrin of dogs throughout the municipality.

Tornado drills are being conducted throughout Lakewood City Schools in conjunction with Severe Weather Awareness Week. Lakewood's Division of Fire is also providing educational materials to elementary schools for use by students and their parents.

Students across the state have also been encouraged to put their creativity to use. The Committee is hosting a Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest. Schools across Ohio have been asked to have their students participate in the poster design this week.

Besides municipal activities, the state's Committee for Severe Weather Awareness is also advising Ohioans to build at-home emergency preparedness kits. Basically, the kits are a reserve of supplies you may need in the event of a disaster.

The Committee provides an extensive list of supplies the kit may include. For example, you'll want one gallon of water per person in your house, and you'll want enough water to get them through three days. You'll also want to include a full change of clothing for each person in your house, and an extra pair of shoes for each person.

The kit can also include some basic necessities like a flashlight, batteries, cash, camping equipment, and more. You can see the Committee's full, extensive list by clicking here.

The Committee also notes that all Ohioans should know the DUCK rule for tornadoes. That is,

D – Go DOWN to the lowest level, stay away from windows
U – Get UNDER something (such as a basement staircase or heavy table or desk)
C – COVER your head
K – KEEP in shelter until the storm has passed

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