A statewide tornado drill scheduled for Wednesday morning was canceled, according to the National Weather Service.
“Due to the increased risk of severe weather across the state on Wednesday, and in conjunction with our partners at the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) has decided to cancel the planned statewide tornado drill scheduled for Wednesday, March 23 at 9:50 AM EDT,” a statement read. “Since a large portion of the state has been upgraded to a “slight risk” for severe weather from the Storm Prediction Center, we feel it’s best to cancel the drill on Wednesday to avoid any unnecessary confusion.”
Brandon Peloquin, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist, says cancellations have happened in the past, including in 2020 when COVID-19 was escalating around the scheduled time, as well as a few years before when there was severe weather and flooding.
“This has happened before too, where we’ve had at least the potential for severe weather the next day and we’ve decided to postpone or cancel that statewide tornado drill to not introduce any confusion and so people can focus on the real world hazard,” Peloquin said.
>> Showers move through the region tonight; Severe storms possible Wednesday
Peloquin says there are currently no plans for a make-up date.
“Instead of throwing another date and time out there, we want the citizens to focus in on the real-world threat that exists tomorrow for severe weather,” Peloquin said.
The drill was originally scheduled as part of Ohio’s Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Schools, citizens, and businesses were encouraged to participate in the drill.
Severe Weather Awareness Week began on Sunday, March 20.