In 2018, a driver drove his Jeep into the flood waters of East Kemper Road and the occupants had to swim to safety. The automobile remained almost completely submerged overnight and the driver was cited by the Loveland Police because he ignored āRoad Closedā signs. (Loveland Magazine file photo)
by Julie Watson
Wait five minutes and the weather will change; You can experience all four seasons in the span of a few hours; Mother Nature canāt seem to make up her mind.
Spring is the season when Ohio weather is the most unpredictable. Spring weather can be downright dangerous, even deadly. Rain and warming temperatures can cause flooding and fog. Changing temperatures can result in strong storms bringing lightning, high winds, hail, and tornadoes. 2024 saw a record breaking 74 tornadoes in the Buckeye State. Six of them were in Warren County alone.
Here are some tips to stay safe in Ohio weather this spring:
ā¢ Never drive through flood water. Water is the strongest force on earth. Even if flood water appears to be shallow, currents can carry dangerous debris and weaken infrastructure foundations. Water levels can also rise quicker than expected. The National Weather Service slogan āTurn around, donāt drownā is good advice.
ā¢ When driving in foggy conditions reduce your speed accordingly. Be sure to leave plenty of distance between you and vehicles in front of you. If fog is heavy, turn your hazard lights on, and your headlights even if it is daylight. Just remember to use your low beams. High beams will reflect more off of the fog making it even more difficult to see. If fog is too thick, consider pulling off the road.
ā¢ In stormy weather, there are some basic rules to remember. If you are at home, keep an emergency storm kit stocked and handy. It should contain a flashlight (with good batteries), bottled water, blankets, hand sanitizer, a first aid kit. You can add more things to it if you choose.
ā¢ When it is storming, avoid touching any device that is plugged in including corded phones. Avoid plumbing and water including washing hands, showering, washing dishes. Stay away from doors and windows that may contain metal.
ā¢ If tornadic activity is expected, go to the lowest level of the building taking your storm kit and charged cell phone with you. If you cannot get below ground level the next best place is in an interior room with no windows, in a bathtub (dry of course), or under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or workbench. Crouch down and cover your head with your hands.
ā¢ If you are outdoors during sever weather take shelter from hail and high winds. Do not shelter under or near trees. Watch out for blowing debris.
ā¢ During a lightning storm remember that thunder is the sound that lightning makes. If you hear thunder, there is lightning in the area even if you cannot see it. Lightning wants to find the quickest path to the ground, so it tends to strike the tallest object around; do not shelter under trees. If you are the tallest thing around, stay low. Another quick path for lightning to travel is through conductors like metal, water, and electric lines. Avoid touching concrete structures which contain metal rebar. Stay away from water and power lines.
