Spring brings flowers, sunshine, longer days — and the chance of storms. Ohio Severe Weather Awareness Week, which begins March 20, is a time to prepare for emergency situations that can pop up when severe weather, like thunderstorms, high winds and flash floods, strike.

Follow these six simple tips to help keep you and your family safe, prepared and connected in the event of severe weather and power outages:

Plan Ahead

Develop a strategy for you and your loved ones in the event of an emergency.. Identify a safe area, such as a basement or storm shelter.  Also, decide now what your options are if there’s an extended power outage. And be sure to check in with the elderly and those who have young children or have medical conditions to ensure they are safe.

Make an Emergency Kit

Put together an emergency preparedness kit that includes (at minimum) non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio or television, a portable cell phone charging bank, a blanket or sleeping bag, a first aid kit and any necessary medications.

Prepare Your Property

Storms can often bring high winds that can easily toss loose objects like lawn furniture,umbrellas and even trampolines across a yard – and potentially into power lines. Before severe weather strikes, secure any items that could be swept away by winds. And if the lights go out, remember to unplug electronics and appliances to protect them when the power is restored.

Stay Away, Stay Alive

Remember, all downed lines are dangerous–they, and anything they may be touching, can carry electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you encounter a fallen wire, keep yourself and others far away, and call 911 and AEP Ohio immediately.

Remember, Safety First

Never operate lanterns, heaters, fuel-fired stoves or burn charcoal without proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. Also, if you’re using a generator, make sure you know how to properly use it — this protects you and our line workers as they work to restore power.

Stay Connected

If inclement weather causes power outages, it’s easy to stay connected with AEP Ohio to report your outage and check restoration:

Visit AEPOhio.com/Safety and Ready.gov for more information.

7 responses to “Ohio Severe Weather Awareness

  1. How about those who have left Facebook and Twitter? Today’s better platforms are TruthSocial and GETTR.

    1. Thanks for the suggestions, Mary Ann! We’re continuing to monitor social media options and meeting customers where they are.

    1. Good question, Steven. From what I am told, yes, these issues are separate but most likely connected. For example, every modem (both cable and internet) needs power to operate. And most cable companies have equipment throughout their system that needs power to boost or transmit a signal. So when power goes out, so does cable. You may want to confirm this with your cable provider.

  2. As a former vet tech It would also be beneficial to discuss pet care in case of bad weather. The importance of pets being crate trained not just for travel but in case of evacuation to motel or shelter. Having id tags on pet with current information. Vaccinations up to date and have pet emergency kit at the ready with meds, copies of vet paperwork and even water and dogfood. Treats, toys and extra blanket are also good things to have current picture of pet(s) as well as contact information of emergency care provider for pet, such as relative or friend who can take pet(s) that is out of emergency stricken area. If you have to leave pet behind use sharpie pen to write phone number on pets belly or in ear. If its a horse you can add id tag braided into mane.

  3. What about people who have no cell service? We are still out here. No electricity means no contact via internet as well. I don’t even have radio reception where I live. I have phone service because I have a landline and a corded phone. It’s frustrating once the power comes on to receive an email that says “If your power is still off, please call.” If my power is off, I have no way to know that power has been restored.

    1. Hi Patricia. Sorry to hear about this — we know how it can be frustrating in those times when the power goes out. I would recommend calling our Customer Solutions Center at (800) 672-2231 using your land line should this ever happen. Our call center representatives are able to provide outage updates for your area.

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