3 ways to prepared for severe weather; Statewide tornado drill this week

Ohio is no stranger to severe weather, and this week kicks off severe weather awareness week.

Two confirmed tornadoes by the National Weather Service have already affected the Miami Valley in late February in Middletown and New Carlisle.

>>PHOTOS: Funnel clouds, storm damage, hail across the Miami Valley

Emergency Management Agencies have suggested three ways to be prepared for severe weather:

1. Stay Informed: Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts, such as an NOAA weather radio, signing up for local/county emergency alerting systems, and tuning in to local media reports. As a reminder, outdoor warning sirens are meant to alert people in open outside areas and should not be relied upon to provide sufficient warning indoors or in noisy areas.

2. Build a Kit: Build an emergency preparedness kit with disaster items like water, nonperishable food, and a flashlight.

3. Make a Plan: Discuss and document what your family would do during a disaster, including how you would communicate and where you would go. When severe weather is imminent, residents should take cover indoors, tune in to local media for information, and take action to stay safe.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Storm survey confirms EF1 tornadoes touched down in Clark, Butler Counties Monday

A statewide tornado drill be conducted on Wednesday at 9:50 a.m. Several counties will not be activating their outdoor sirens. For more information about your county, visit your local Emergency Management Agency.