Logan County Citizen Corps Council

08/21/2026

Step 4: Document Upload Upload photos or supporting documents for your disaster assistance application. Supporting Documents File Document Type Description (optional)

08/15/2026

PLEASE PREPARE NOW! More rain is coming this evening and tonight and we do not have capacity for it. Flooding and Flash Flooding are very likely!
Many of you took action before the last round on Thursday night and it really helped that you moved your cars to higher ground and put your valuables up or took them to a safe place. You did great!
This round will probably rise faster than the last – and it will arrive as it gets dark, so please take precautions again this afternoon.
If you live in a floodplain, or an area that will have standing water after heavy rain, please:
1. Move vehicles to high ground.
2. Gather important items and take them to a second floor, or someplace safe.
3. Stay informed on weather conditions and register for Logan County ALERT to receive emergency alerts at: https://signup.hyper-reach.com/hyper.../sign_up_page_2/... Select the box for Weather alerts to receive Tornado Warnings and Flash Flood Warnings directly from NWS with no delay.
4. Consider packing a go-bag with things you will need if you aren’t at home – clothes, medicine, baby needs. It can sit by the door and be put away later if you don’t need it.
5. Please do not drive through flooded roadways – Turn Around Don’t Drown!
Our ground is saturated from all the rain over the last two weeks, and we already had some street flooding in the county. While the area looks better and streets have re-opened, the Great Miami River continues to fill up as the water can't drain out as fast as it is pouring in.
FLOODING WILL HAPPEN FASTER THIS TIME because we have no room for water to drain.
Please take action and prepare now!

[4:31 PM] Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through the weekend.

06/01/2026

04/21/2026

Please review the Draft Action Plan and share any comments through the public comment period. There are links below for emailing and to participate in the Public Hearing via TEAMS.

03/08/2026

Please, Be prepared. Carry your own home charged, charging pack when out and about. This is not just for the traditional emergencies. This tip is for every day. It’s a whole lot cheaper than the potential consequences from charging your device at a public charging station.

Lance Peterson
Logan County Volunteer CERT Progrm Manager

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1432659045234494/?fs=e&fs=e

01/30/2026

Beware of Phishing QR Codes
Cybercriminals are now sending phishing emails with QR codes to trick people into giving away their usernames, passwords and even bypassing security steps like two-factor authentication. These scams look very real and are designed to get you to scan a code with your phone.

What’s Happening?
Scammers are sending emails that look like they’re from trusted organizations. Instead of clicking a link, they ask you to scan a QR code.

When you scan it:
1. Your phone opens a website.
2. That website looks like a familiar login page.
3. You type in your username and password.
4. The attackers steal your information and may even get around your two-factor codes.
5. They can then break into your real account.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Be cautious if an email:
• is unexpected and asks you to scan a QR code
• says you need to “verify your account” or “solve a problem quickly”
• looks slightly “off” — weird wording, unexpected senders or urgency
• asks you to sign in after scanning a code, even if the site looks normal

How to Protect Yourself
• Don’t scan QR codes or barcodes embedded in unexpected emails, posters or other physical media like those on bulletin boards at the store – these are a common phishing tactic.
• Don’t enter your password on a page you reached by scanning a code.
• Instead, go directly to the official website by typing it in yourself or using your saved bookmark.
• Use stronger login options when possible (like a phone app or security key).
• Make sure your phone is updated and protected.

If You Already Scanned a Suspicious QR Code
Here’s what to do right away:
1. Close the page.
2. Change your password from a trusted device (like your laptop).
3. Watch for any unusual login alerts or password reset notices.

01/29/2026

UPDATE: January 28, 2026 - 7:45 PM

Extreme Cold Shelter Information
Logan County, Ohio - January 26-30, 2026

Note - New location in Quincy & End Date/Time Set

With the bitter cold temperatures in Logan County through the rest of this week, the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for several nights with wind chills below -15 degrees. Our communities are coming together to provide a warm place for people to go if they are unsheltered or just can’t stay warm in their own home due to the intense cold.

These locations are being hosted by Churches, Fire Departments and Communities with support from volunteers, but they are not equipped to provide everything you might need. Hospitality will be abundant, while the accommodations may be very basic.

People going to these shelters will need to bring their own sleeping bags/blankets, chairs or cots, games for the kids, medicines, and food/drinks.

Do not bring pets to these shelters as they are not set up for that.

Please see below for location and information on how to access the sites:

City of Bellefontaine – First United Methodist Church – 201 N. Main Street (Corner of Main & Sandusky)
Open as of 8 PM on Monday, January 26th – location is staffed. Enter at the back door under the covered porch

NEW - Quincy – Quincy Community Building - 505 South Carlisle Street (beside the park)
Available – please call Michael Weber, Administrator on his cell at 937-570-5759 – he or one of the local officials will open the doors within 30 minutes.

Ridgeway - Ohio Fire Department – Ridgeway Fire Department - 133 Main Street
Available – please call Chief Jim Newland on his cell at 419-674-7728 – he will meet you at the station

Rushcreek Township Volunteer Fire & EMS – 108 S. Sandusky Street, Rushsylvania
Available – please call Chief Duane VanBuskirk on his cell at 937-441-8837 – he will meet you at the station and is willing to pick up anyone in the village/township who needs a ride.

Zanesfield – Tri-Valley Fire District – 2568 Sandusky Street
Open as of 6 PM on Monday, January 26th – location is staffed, if after dark press the doorbell as it will be locked, but they will let you in.

Friday night, January 30th, will be the last night open with all shelters closing at Noon on Saturday, January 31st. After that time, the warming center at Bellefontaine First Church of God – 1000 Brown Avenue (Entrance 9 in the back), Bellefontaine, will return to regular operations with intake from 7 PM to 9 PM each evening when temperatures are below 20 degrees.

01/27/2026

Extreme Cold Shelter Information
Logan County, Ohio
January 26 - 29, 2026

With the bitter cold temperatures moving into Logan County this evening, the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning.

Our communities are coming together to provide a warm place for people to go if they are un-sheltered or just can’t stay warm in their own home due to the intense cold.

These locations are being hosted by Churches, Fire Departments, and community volunteers, but they are not equipped to provide everything you might need. Hospitality will be abundant, while the accommodations may be very basic. People going to these shelters will need to bring their own sleeping bags/blankets, chairs or cots, games for the kids, medicines, and food/drinks.

Do not bring pets to these shelters as they are not set up for that.

Please see below for location and information on how to access the sites:

- City of Bellefontaine – 1st United Methodist Church – 201 N. Main Street (Corner of Main & Sandusky)
Opening as of 8 PM on Monday, January 26th – location is staffed. Enter at the back door under the covered porch

- Village of Ridgeway – Ridgeway Fire Department - 133 Main Street, Ridgeway
Available – please call Chief Jim Newland on his cell at 419-674-7728 – he will meet you at the station

- Village of Rushsylvania/Rushcreek Township – Rushcreek Township Volunteer Fire & EMS - 108 S. Sandusky Street, Rushsylvania
Available – please call Chief Duane VanBuskirk on his cell at 937-441-8837 – he will meet you at the station and is willing to pick up anyone in the village/township who needs a ride.

- Village of Zanesfield – Tri-Valley Fire Station – 2568 Sandusky Street, Zanesfield
Open as of 6 PM on Monday, January 26th – location is staffed, if after dark press the doorbell as it will be locked, but they will let you in.

12/19/2025

As the holiday season approaches and scams continue to emerge and evolve, here are some easy tips to help keep you, your data, and your devices safe and secure.

Watch for Phishing Email Even in the Winter
Phishing is still the most common attack vector when trying to distribute ransomware. Cruising into “holiday mode,” remember to slow down and review each email carefully. Email can easily be spoofed to look like it was sent by someone you know, but always question the validity. Play it safe, and don’t click on links if you can avoid it. Call your friend if you get an email asking for financial help. Years ago, I had my Facebook account hacked, and the scammer hit up everyone on my friends list as if he were me, asking for money. Fortunately, all my friends checked with me directly, and I addressed the hack.

Stay Up to Date
Vulnerabilities in both outdated software applications and operating systems are more likely to be exploited by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to your accounts. Always update your devices to the latest software version, including the individual apps loaded on them.

Skip the Public Wi-Fi
Although connecting to free public Wi-Fi sounds great, it is often unsecure and can expose your devices and personal information to hackers. Instead, use your mobile phone as a hotspot when going online.

Trust No One
AI is being used to impersonate people you trust. Thanks to rapid advances, scammers can successfully fake just about anything—people’s faces and voices, legitimate phone numbers, company websites and more. Always double check to make sure the video, email or message is authenticated before proceeding.

Secure Your Devices
Keep track of your laptop, smartphone and tablet—especially while on the go, and don’t leave your devices unattended in public places. Lock them up when not in use. Also remember—do not write down passwords to ensure the security of your devices and accounts.

~Lance Peterson, Logan County CERT Program Manager