COLUMBUS, Ohio — We are officially entering severe weather season and we spoke to the Red Cross regional communications director for central and southern Ohio Marita Salkowski about planning during this time. She said now is the time for you and your family to form a safety plan.
Salkowski said to make sure you have your safe location determined before severe weather hits. This includes below-ground level. If you don't have a basement, she said a small interior room with no windows will work.
In March, a deadly tornado hit Logan County. Three people were killed and two of them lived in a mobile home.
"if you live in a mobile home, that is the worst place that you could be during a tornado," Salkowski said. "So, you want to identify in advance a sturdy structure where you can leave your mobile home, go to that sturdy structure as soon as those tornado warnings come out. That is the best way to protect yourself."
Salkowski also said to go over this information with your children because this will help them understand what's going on and create less of a stressful situation for them during a weather event.
April, May and June tend to have the most active months for severe weather. Already, there have been devastating tornados in Madison and Franklin counties.
She said, "If you end up being trapped, you want to make sure you cover your mouth with any kind of cloth or shirt to avoid breathing in that dust. Then you want to bang on a pipe, a wall, anything to let people know, so they can hear you."
Salkowski said shouting isn't going to be very productive in that situation. Instead, the sound of bagging will help people locate you and get you to safety.