Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Lucas County Commissioners Lisa A. Sobecki and Pete Gerken joined Lucas County’s Emergency Management Agency on March 5 to encourage the public to make preparations for spring weather and to sign up for the Lucas County Alert system ahead of Ohio’s Severe Weather Awareness Week.
Severe Weather Awareness Week will take place from March 16-22 throughout Ohio, and a statewide tornado drill will occur on Wednesday, March 19, at 9:50 a.m.
During Severe Weather Awareness Week, Lucas County residents are encouraged to prepare their homes, businesses, and organizations for the upcoming months of potential severe weather and associated conditions such as flooding, wind events, hail, tornadoes, lightning and power outages.
“We know as a community how fast severe weather can hit us,” Sobecki said. “Point Place residents are still rebuilding from the tornado that took place almost two years ago. We just want to remind you that the best thing you can do is to be prepared. Develop a plan, talk with your family, thoroughly review your insurance policies and be proactive with your safety this spring.”
Gerken said, “Everybody has phones now. We look for notifications when a package arrives. We get notifications when Netflix has a new movie. Why wouldn’t you get a notification that could save your life?”
On March 19, Lucas County will go live with a new alert system through provider Everbridge. This new system will send timely, geotargeted alerts and can be personalized to fit individual needs, including allowing users to register up to five phone numbers, five email addresses and five physical locations.
Alerts will be sent based on users’ registered locations, ensuring they receive only the most relevant information, whether it’s about severe weather, local emergencies or community updates.
“One of our priorities at EMA is to provide a reliable, robust and dependable alert system so all residents are informed and prepared during emergencies,” Lucas County EMA Director Abby Buchhop said. “This new alert system offers a range of features that enhance the way we communicate with the public.”
Those who are currently signed up to receive Lucas County Alerts through the WENS system will receive an email prompting them to verify their information and update their preferences. Existing users will receive a link unique to them. New users should sign up online at lucascountyalerts.com.
Text alerts will come from 89361 or 89362, and email alerts will come from noreply@everbridge.net. Lucas County officials encourage everyone to save that information in their contacts under Lucas County Alerts.
In addition to emergency notifications, Lucas County partners with local government entities to send notifications about information such as boil water advisories, road closures, refuse programs and more.
Those who are registered to receive Lucas County Alerts can opt in to those additional community alerts through their account at lucascountyalerts.com.
