TOLEDO, Ohio, March 5, 2025: Lucas County Commissioners Lisa A. Sobecki and Pete Gerken joined Lucas County’s Emergency Management Agency at a press conference on Wednesday 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 to March 22 throughout the state of Ohio, and a statewide tornado drill will occur on 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,” Commissioner 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.”
Residents are also encouraged to participate in the statewide tornado drill on March 19 by exercising weather safety and emergency communication plans, including enrolling in Lucas County Alerts.
“We get information out drastically different than we used to,” Commissioner 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 your 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 your registered locations, ensuring you receive only the most relevant information, whether it’s about severe weather, local emergencies, or community updates.
A statewide tornado drill will also take place on March 19 at 9:50 a.m., which will provide an opportunity to test the new Lucas County system. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the new system ahead of this test. Outdoor warning sirens will also be activated for three minutes as part of the statewide tornado drill.
“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. Join in and help provide peace of mind to you and your family today.”
If you are currently signed up to receive Lucas County Alerts through the WENS system, you will receive an email prompting you to verify your information and update your 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.
