Athens County EMA

06/24/2026

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
⚡️ Tuesday: Lightning Safety Outdoors

Personal Lightning Safety - Outdoors

06/23/2026

Alright York Family’s and Youth!!!! Save the date and get ready for some fun! There is WAYYYY to much to put on the flyer to capture everything that will be going down. Whether you’re jamming out with Rockin’ Reggie, checking out all of the fire trucks, or getting your face painted; there’s something for everyone! Besides, there no telling what chief could be up to!

06/23/2026

We would like to thank our sponsors for helping make this event possible,
“The only Larry conrath in real estate”740-591-3015 grueser realty an building “ grand Finale sponsor
phantom fireworks of grove city oh. Grand finale sponsor
Athens Township trustees
McKees auto parts
The Plains McDonald’s
The Plains VFW
Hocking valley bank
Harold an Tiffiny peters
Kochis appliance heating an air
Beverage drive thru
Howell rescue
Taylor Sappington
Curtis towing
Kimes Nursing Home
Autumn Brown
Lenny Eliason
Advanced seamless gutter an roofing
Little Italy pizza The Plains
Bakery 323
Paulette Chalfant
Spice of life
Chris Chimel
Candy Russell
Charlie Adkins
Rodney and Brenda Smith
Susan Jennings
Hotmix Technical Services
The Plains Market
Gigis Country Kitchen
The Taproot Collective
Rusty Rittenhouse
Ralph Hartman
Kona ice
Mr Softee
Athens County Children Services
First Class Inflatables
GSF Floor coating an services
Happy Snacking
McFadden insurance
DLZ Engineering
Zonez of Athens

06/23/2026

https://athensindependent.com/pr-260727-farm-pesticide-collection/?lh_aid=24304&lh_cid=v4iig54hnn&di=8e5b6ea8b41cfaec7c8a939e13ccfcbc

The pesticide collection and disposal services are free of charge, but only farm chemicals will be accepted.

06/23/2026

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week
⚡️ Monday: The Science of Lightning and Thunder

Science of Lightning

06/23/2026

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), National Weather Service (NWS), and the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) are promoting Lightning Safety Awareness Week which runs June 21-27.

(Please check the materials for each day, they are helpful and interesting:
http://lightningsafetycouncil.org/LSC-LSAW2.html )

Lighting is a leading cause of weather-related injuries and deaths in the United States. Each year, about 25 million lightning flashes occur, causing around 30 fatalities and many long-term injuries.

“Lightning can be fascinating to watch, but can kill in an instant,” said Ohio EMA Executive Director Sima Merick. “In 2025, an Ohio resident was struck and killed by lightning while playing soccer. Be aware of your surroundings and go indoors when severe weather is approaching.”

Ohio EMA, the NWS, and OCSWA urge Ohioans to stay alert, have an emergency plan, and practice severe weather safety.

☁️ Prepare before the storm:

• Understand your area’s lightning risk—storms occur year-round, day or night.

• Know the difference between a Thunderstorm Watch (Be Prepared) and a Thunderstorm Warning (Take Action!)

• “When thunder roars, go indoors!” Stop outdoor activities and seek a safe, enclosed shelter immediately.

• Suspend outdoor activities for at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
..

• Know your area’s risk for lightning. Spring and summer are typical seasons for thunderstorms, though they can occur year-round and at any hour.

• Sign up for local emergency alerts or use a trusted weather app.

• Consider installing surge protectors or lightning protection systems for your home.

⛈️ Stay safe during the storm:

• If a thunderstorm warning has been issued for your area or you hear thunder, go inside immediately.

• Get out and away from bodies of water. If boating, fishing, or swimming, get to land and find a sturdy, grounded shelter or vehicle immediately.

• If indoors, avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity can travel through plumbing and telephone lines.

• Protect your property. Unplug appliances and other electric devices.

🌩️ Be safe after the storm

• Watch for fallen power lines or broken tree limbs. Report hazards immediately.

• If power outages occur, report them to your utility provider. Don’t wait for a neighbor to report the outage.

• If using alternate power sources like a generator, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Submitted by the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

☝️ National Weather Service: "If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this actually increases the chance that someone might get struck, it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the chances that someone could help if a person is struck."

06/21/2026

06/19/2026

211 can help with more than you might think.

Families call 211 for many reasons — rent help, utility assistance, food, child care, transportation, health insurance, and more. If you are not sure 211 can help with what you need, call and ask. Chances are we can point you in the right direction.

Call 211 or 1-888-OHIO211.

06/18/2026

Storm Damage? You May Qualify for Property Tax Relief

If your home, business, or other real property was damaged or destroyed during the recent storms, you may be eligible to file an Application for Valuation Deduction for Destroyed or Damaged Real Property with the Athens County Auditor's Office.

Even if you plan to begin repairs immediately, you may still qualify for a reduction in your property's taxable value.

Please share this information with friends, family, and neighbors who may have been affected by the storms.

06/18/2026

Communities throughout Athens County may have experienced damage to structures located within the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (link below) following the storm event occurring throughout the evening of June 17th through the morning of June 18th, 2026.

Affected structures within the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area must be evaluated to determine the amount of damage that has occurred and if the structure has been “substantially damaged”. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Athens County Flood Damage Reduction Regulations define “substantial damage” as any situation where the cost of restoring a structure to its pre-damaged condition equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the structure’s pre-damage market value.

To ensure compliance with local flood damage reduction regulations, please contact your community’s floodplain administrator before beginning any repairs or construction to structures located within the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area. If you are unsure if your property is located within the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, or if you are unsure what jurisdiction you are located in, please contact the Athens County Planning Office at 740-447-5890.

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8b0adb51996444d4879338b5529aa9cd

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding regarding flood safety throughout Athens County.

Athens County Planning Office – 740-447-5890 – [email protected]