Spring Storm Unpredictability

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Springtime in Ohio can mean sunshine one minute, darkening skies the next, just before severe winds and torrential rains damage properties and threaten lives.

Muskingum County Emergency Management and Department of Homeland Security Director Jeff Jadwin talked about monitoring weather conditions and local stream levels to keep the public informed of the dangers that the weather can bring at a moment’s notice.

“We’re expecting severe storms Wednesday afternoon and evening,” Jadwin said. “So where our water levels are now, if it rains tomorrow and then we get the heavy storms, everything’s going to be getting up near capacity or could surpass it. We just want people to be aware it’s that time of year. Have your to-go bags ready so that if you live along a stream or the river and it comes out of its banks, you’ve got stuff prepared to get out of your homes.”

He also shared how important it could be for people to download weather apps and be alerted by their phones when weather conditions instantly intensify.

“So sign up for our Reverse 9-1-1, sign up for WHIZ Weather App so that you get those alerts, whether you’re at home, out driving, you’re at work, you know so that you are aware of the changes because with our app, you get the severe thunderstorm warnings, the tornado warnings and other warnings year-round. You know, water outages and that stuff,” Jadwin said.

Jadwin expressed concern for Wednesday’s forecast, which predicts heavy rains and high winds that could further loosen soil, topple trees, disrupt traffic, create power outages and cause flooding.