On Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 9:50 am the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service conducted a Statewide Severe Weather Tornado Drill. While holding a drill is important, for you and your family you should also create an emergency plan in case there is a tornado or other severe weather situation like the one that blew through Westlake Ohio on August 6^th 2024, knocking out power in Greater Cleveland for over 400,000 residents! To assist you in creating a preparedness plan.

Below are some things to consider in creating your plan.

1. Have a designated area in your home to stay during the severe weather. This area should be on the lowest level of the building and should be away from windows or glass doors.
2. In the designated area have the following items:
3. First Aid Kit
4. Bottled Water
5. Flashlights and extra batteries
6. Battery or crank operated NOAA Weather radio
7. Tool Kit
8. Have a list of people you may need to do safety checks on-remember cell service and landlines may not be working so address this in your process.

The plan should be practiced yearly to ensure the plan remains viable as changes in lifestyles and life circumstances evolve.

Protecting your home is an ongoing process. Somethings to consider in your preparedness plan may include;

1. Making sure all trees and bushes are properly pruned so dead branches don’t become projectiles during high winds.
2. Secure small objects such as picnic tables, benches and rubbish containers so they don’t blow away and injure someone or something.
3. Ensure all doors are securely shut to avoid blowing open in high winds.
4. Gutters and storm sewers are clean

I hope you were not surprised last Wednesday morning when you heard the tornado alarms tested throughout Northeast Ohio, and don’t be surprised by your next insurance renewal. Call the Trusted Choice insurance agents at Richey-Barrett for a no obligation insurance review.