Ottawa County EMA - Ohio

05/27/2026

🚨 TRAINING EXERCISE NOTICE 🚨

Please be advised that Ottawa County EMA - Ohio will be conducting a training drill this evening (5/27/2026) in coordination with Helena Chemical and theAllen-Clay Joint Fire District

During the exercise, residents may notice an increased presence of emergency vehicles, personnel, and traffic in the area. This is only a drill, and there is no cause for alarm.

We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our community as we continue to train and prepare for emergency situations to help keep everyone safe.

05/01/2026

REMINDER TODAY.

🚨 Monthly IPAWS/WEA Test – Tomorrow (05/01/2026) 🚨

Tomorrow is the first day of the month, which means we will conduct our monthly IPAWS/WEA test at 12:00 PM, in conjunction with our monthly outdoor warning siren test.

📱 A test Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) will be sent to all mobile devices located within Ottawa County between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM.
👉 You must be physically located in Ottawa County during that time to receive the alert.

These tests are part of the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) and are used for serious emergencies such as:
• Tornado warnings 🌪️
• Evacuation orders 🚨
• Other critical incidents where outdoor warning sirens are activated

⚠️ This is only a test — no action is required.
These monthly tests help ensure the system is working properly and ready when it matters most.

📲 No sign-up is required. If you do not receive the alert, please check your phone settings to ensure:
• Emergency alerts are enabled
• Test alerts are turned ON

ℹ️ For more information or questions, visit the Ottawa County Emergency Management website https://www.co.ottawa.oh.us/230/Emergency-Management-Agency
Thank you for helping us keep Ottawa County safe and informed.

04/30/2026

🚨 Monthly IPAWS/WEA Test – Tomorrow (05/01/2026) 🚨

Tomorrow is the first day of the month, which means we will conduct our monthly IPAWS/WEA test at 12:00 PM, in conjunction with our monthly outdoor warning siren test.

📱 A test Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) will be sent to all mobile devices located within Ottawa County between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM.
👉 You must be physically located in Ottawa County during that time to receive the alert.

These tests are part of the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) and are used for serious emergencies such as:
• Tornado warnings 🌪️
• Evacuation orders 🚨
• Other critical incidents where outdoor warning sirens are activated

⚠️ This is only a test — no action is required.
These monthly tests help ensure the system is working properly and ready when it matters most.

📲 No sign-up is required. If you do not receive the alert, please check your phone settings to ensure:
• Emergency alerts are enabled
• Test alerts are turned ON

ℹ️ For more information or questions, visit the Ottawa County Emergency Management website https://www.co.ottawa.oh.us/230/Emergency-Management-Agency
Thank you for helping us keep Ottawa County safe and informed.

04/02/2026

Monthly IPAWS/WEA Test Alert 🚨

As part of our commitment to public safety, the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency will conduct our monthly IPAWS/WEA test TOMORROW (04/03/2026) at 12:00 PM, in conjunction with our monthly outdoor warning siren test.

📱 A test Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) will be sent to all mobile devices located within Ottawa County between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM. You must be physically located in Ottawa County during that time to receive the alert.

These tests are part of the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) and are used for serious emergencies like:
• Tornado warnings 🌪️
• Evacuation orders 🚨
• Other critical incidents where outdoor warning sirens are activated

⚠️ This is only a test and no action is required. These monthly tests help ensure the system is functioning properly and ready when needed. No sign up is required, if you don’t receive the test alert, please check your phone settings to ensure emergency alerts are enabled and TEST ALERTS ARE ON.

ℹ️ For more information or questions, visit the Ottawa County Emergency Management website https://www.co.ottawa.oh.us/230/Emergency-Management-Agency
Thank you for helping us keep Ottawa County safe and informed.

03/23/2026

🌸🚨 It’s Here! The Spring 2026 EMA Newsletter Has Arrived! 🚨🌸

Want to know what’s happening in our community and how you can better prepare for emergencies? Our latest newsletter is packed with updates on outreach events, preparedness tips, emergency alert information, and simple ways you can help keep your family and neighbors safe.

📖 Don’t miss out — click the link to read the full newsletter! https://co.ottawa.oh.us/233/Newsletter

Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Ottawa County 💙

Stay Safe!
— Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency

Review events being offered or managed through the Emergency Management Agency.

03/19/2026

⛈️⚡ Thunder & Lightning Safety Reminder ⚡⛈️

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related injuries and deaths. While many people survive lightning strikes, victims can suffer long-term health effects. Most strikes happen when people are working or enjoying recreation outdoors — but you can take steps to stay safe.

🧭 Have a Lightning Safety Plan
• If thunderstorms are in the forecast, consider postponing outdoor activities.
• When thunder roars, go indoors! Seek a safe, enclosed shelter immediately.
• Follow the 30-30 Rule: If you see lightning and hear thunder within 30 seconds, head inside. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming activities.
• If no shelter is available, crouch low with minimal contact with the ground.

🏠 Prepare Before the Storm
• Stay informed with weather alerts and local emergency notifications.
• Trim or remove trees that could fall on your home.
• Consider surge protectors or lightning protection systems for your property.

🌩️ During the Storm
• Move indoors or into a hard-topped vehicle right away.
• Stay away from water, plumbing, and landline phones.
• Unplug electronics if time allows and secure outdoor furniture.
• Never walk or drive through flooded roadways — just 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult down.

✅ After the Storm
• Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back outside.
• Avoid downed power lines and fallen trees.
• Report outages and hazards to local authorities or your utility provider.

🚑 If Someone Is Struck by Lightning
Call 911 immediately. Lightning victims are safe to touch and may need CPR or first aid.

🐾 Protect Pets & Livestock
Move animals to safe shelter before storms arrive. Chains, wire runners, and open shelters can increase risk.

Stay weather-aware. Stay prepared. Stay safe. ⚡



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📲 Sign up for Ottawa County’s Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS)! ❗️
WENS keeps residents informed of important—but non-life-threatening—emergency alerts, including Severe Thunderstorm Warnings 🌩️
⚠️ This is an OPT-IN system — you must sign up to receive alerts.
Choose how you want to be notified:
✅ Text message
✅ Email
Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay prepared.
Sign up for WENS today ⬇️
https://entry.inspironlogistics.com/ottawa_oh/wens.cfm

03/18/2026

🌪️ KNOW WHERE TO GO WHEN SHELTERING FROM A TORNADO 🌪️

Being prepared can save your life. Here’s where to take cover depending on where you are:

🏠 Home or Small Business:
Go to the basement or a small interior room like a closet, bathroom, or hallway on the lowest level — away from windows. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Get under something sturdy like a heavy table, or use a mattress for protection. Most tornado injuries are caused by flying debris, so protect your head — wear a bicycle or motorcycle helmet if you have one.

🏢 Large Buildings (schools, hospitals, shopping centers, factories):
Go to the designated shelter area. If none is available, move to an interior hallway on the lowest level. Stay away from windows and large open-roof areas that are more likely to collapse.

🏚️ Mobile Homes or Homes on Stilts:
Leave immediately and get to a sturdy building or storm shelter. If you can’t reach one, shelter in the most interior room without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

🚗 In a Vehicle:
Get out and seek sturdy shelter right away. If none is nearby, lie in a low spot and cover your head from flying debris. Never shelter under an overpass — winds can become stronger due to a tunneling effect.

✅ Stay alert. Have a plan. Act quickly. Your safety depends on it.

🔗 For more information on helpful resources, Ottawa County emergency alerts, and more, head to our website:
https://co.ottawa.oh.us/230/Emergency-Management

03/17/2026

🚨Stay Informed. Stay Safe.🚨

The Ottawa County EMA - Ohio uses mass notification systems to quickly alert the public during emergencies. Two of the primary systems are ☝🏼IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) and ✌🏼 WENS (Wireless Emergency Notification System).

1️⃣ IPAWS is a FEMA-managed platform that serves as the nationwide backbone for emergency alerts. It allows authorized officials to send urgent notifications through multiple channels — including WEA: Wireless Emergency Alerts (mobile phones 📱), Emergency Alert System messages (TV 📺 and radio 📻), NOAA Weather Radio, and internet services. These alerts can be issued at the local, regional, or national level.

2️⃣ WENS is a local public notification system designed to rapidly share important information with residents about incidents or situations that may impact daily activities in our community.

👉🏼 Want to learn more about the differences between these systems and how you can receive alerts? Check out the graphic below and visit our website:
https://www.co.ottawa.oh.us/238/Emergency-Alerts

03/16/2026

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK IS HERE 🧁🌪️⛈️

When severe weather is in the forecast, you may hear terms like Outlook, Watch, and Warning. Here’s a simple way to remember what they mean 👇🏼

🔎OUTLOOK: Severe weather is possible. This is the time to start paying attention, review your safety plans, and stay

👀WATCH: Conditions are favorable for severe weather. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and be ready to act quickly if needed.

🚨WARNING: Severe weather is happening or about to happen. Take action immediately to protect yourself and your loved ones. Move to a safe place right away.

Preparedness saves lives🫶🏻 Take time this week to make sure your emergency alerts are set properly, you build/refresh your emergency kit, review your sheltering plan, and talk with your family about what to do when severe weather strikes.

Visit our website for resources about Ottawa County’s emergency alerts, general preparedness, and other helpful links: https://www.co.ottawa.oh.us/230/Emergency-Management-Agency