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Ohio EMA IMAGE: GOOGLE

Fayette County officials are spending the next seven days preparing for severe weather.

Fayette County Emergency Management Director Fulton Terry announced that today marks day two of “Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week” in Ohio and as a result, Fayette County will participate in a statewide test.

As proclaimed by Governor John R. Kasich, the weather safety campaign is to encourage all citizens to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards, especially severe weather.

“Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week runs from March 3 to March 9,” said Terry. “On Wednesday,  there will be a statewide tornado drill conducted at 9:50 a.m.”

The sirens will be activated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s office and area fire departments, said Terry.

During this time, schools, businesses and households are encouraged to practice their tornado drills and emergency plans.

“Families should take time this week to review their own severe weather plans at home,” he said. “Severe weather can never be predicted, we can only prepare for it.”

There’s two types of classifications given to thunderstorms when they’re considered serious, said Terry.

“A severe thunderstorm watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of a severe thunderstorm in the area,” he said. “A severe thunderstorm warning means there is a severe thunderstorm in the area. Stay indoors and monitor local television and radio weather broadcasts for current information and advisories.”

For more information on severe weather awareness, you may contact Terry’s office at (740) 335-8264.