COLUMBUS, Ohio — In efforts to promote severe weather safety, the state conducts severe weather safety campaigns twice a year.

Severe weather can be classified as anything that can cause damage. There could be severe thunderstorms, hail, and in the most recent cases, high winds and tornadoes.  

While an event can happen anywhere in the state, the western parts of the state, typically near the Miami Valley, have experienced a few more weather events than other areas. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ohio saw 49 tornadoes last year. The tornado season in the state peaks between April and June, but we’ve already seen several this year. According to Spectrum News chief meteorologist Eric Elwell, this could be because of our winters getting warmer and an increase of moisture in the air. 

“We’ve seen a little bit of an increase in severe weather and one of the reasons over the last few years is that our winters seem to be getting warmer and warmer so severe weather season is starting earlier,” said Elwell. “We’ve had that happen this year where a severe weather season has happened in March. We’ve had numerous tornadoes in March and as we get to a warmer climate, there’s more moisture in the air to work with and a lot of times with that heat and that humidity it helps fuel those storms a little earlier in the year.” 

While many families and communities are still picking up the pieces from last week’s storms, Elwell tells Ohioans what they can do to prepare and protect themselves in the case of a severe storm. 

“It’s just good to make sure that you have your preparedness plan and practice it,” said Elwell. “You know, know where you’re going to go. If you’re going to go to the basement, go to the basement kind of have an idea for where you are. You may be at work during a severe weather event. Where will you go? So have those things in mind. Have just a preparation kit in case you were to lose power, what happens if you lose power for a few days? If you know that there’s going to be severe weather, charge your cellphone. Have ways to be prepared and, of course, be on the lookout for the severe weather threat and also have a way to be alert.”

There will be a statewide tornado drill this Wednesday and Ohioans are encouraged to practice their tornado drills and emergency plans all week so they can stay prepared and stay safe.