Portage Prepares

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Ravenna, OH
Portage Prepares

An education program providing preparedness information for Portage County Ohio communities to prepare for tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, health emergencies, winter storms, pandemics, health epidemics, natural disasters, crisis events, nuclear disasters.
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The Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (PC OHS/EM) operates within the realm of public safety and is tasked with the overall preparedness and resiliency mission of Portage County. PC OHS/EM was established in 1989 by today’s ORC 5502.271 as a countywide emergency management program under the chief executives of the county. Essential deliverables are the annual review or development of the county all-hazards emergency operations plan and an annual exercise(s) testing such plan. ORC 5502 emergency management provisions provide guidance to the director/coordinator of EMA’s to deliver preparedness programs beyond the broad scope of solely the planning and the development/performance of exercises. In Portage County, the EMA is much more than planning and exercises to our local communities and county as a whole. The EMA is the essential cornerstone of a local government’s capability to coordinate and collaborate during disaster situations. The EMA’s ability to embrace and engage stakeholders is a necessary, if not the most influential part of an emergency management program. Limited on resources, the EMA relies heavily on partnerships so that the right resources are called at the right time to complete the right task. These partnerships lead our department to the individual or agency identified for their specific capability/resource and is often outlined in the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). This includes training in emergency management concepts and being well-versed in the Emergency Operations Center if the need occurs. With countless emergency and disaster situations occurring locally and nationally, Portage County residents need information on how to stay safe. Resident can reduce the risk of injury and loss of property if they have a local trusted resource for information. The Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and its Advisory Committee are undertaking the establishment of a preparedness education program encompassing print, social media and outreach activities to provide residents with needed information. Portage Prepares is a county-wide, long-term education program for preparing Portage County communities to meet the challenges of emergencies and/or disasters in order to be safe, reduce risks of injury and reduce property destruction. Specifically, it is an education program providing preparedness information for Portage County, Ohio communities to prepare for natural disasters including: tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, winter storms, general severe weather etc. and public health emergencies, active threat/crisis events, nuclear disasters and other types of emergencies that are relevant to Northeast Ohio. The information will be applicable to residents of these Ohio communities: Aurora, Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro, Garrettsville, Mantua, Hiram and Windham and the townships of Mantua, Hiram, Nelson, Franklin, Shalersville, Freedom, Ravenna, Charlestown, Windham, Brimfield, Rootstown, Edinburg, Paris, Suffield, Randolph, Atwater and Deerfield. The program is anchored by a dynamic web page at https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/portage-prepares where citizens can find links to local, state and national resources for preparedness. The page on the Portage County government website also provide education that citizens will find valuable when making plans for staying safe when a storm hits or there is a health emergency. Portage Prepares objectives are: • To educate Portage County citizens about how to prepare for the challenges of major weather events, disasters, health emergencies and other types of incidents. • To provide a long-term, county-wide resource for education about preparing for disasters, serious incidents, weather-related problems and health emergencies. • To prepare citizens to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of an emergency and/or disaster. • To motivate Portage County citizens so they can on their own reduce risks of injury or illness in the event of disasters, serious incidents and health emergencies. • To expand the resource to provide important information before, during and after a disaster, serious incident, weather-related problems, health emergencies or other types of incidents. Primary audiences for Portage Prepares education: • Educational institutions (including educators) • Elected officials to disseminate to local government including first responders • Community leaders • Adult head of households • Community organizations and social service providers • Senior population • Persons with disabilities • Media • Faith-based communities • Organizations that provide care to persons with disabilities • Business owners and managers, also to include utilities and persons responsible for infrastructure All shared, commented on or otherwise posted material on government owned social media accounts is subject to Ohio Public Records Law. Departmental websites, web pages or social media sites serve as a mechanism for communication between the public and the department and the following guidance is established: The department will remove any postings containing confidential personal information or infringing on copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property where permission for use has not been granted by the property holder. The department reserves the right to remove any material appearing to be spam, malware or other material potentially harmful to County property. The department reserves the right to remove content that includes vulgarity, personal attacks and content that discriminates or harasses on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, genetic testing, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or other intrinsic personal characteristics. Statements advocating illegal activity or advertising commercial products, or services will not be tolerated and are also subject to removal. The department reserves the right to remove content that is inflammatory in nature or creates a personal attack against another member of the public or a member of the department. Social Media Policy and Online Content Terms of Use Statement can be found in Appendix B of the Portage County Board of Commissioners Personnel Policy Manual: https://www.portagecounty-oh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3706/f/uploads/ppm_-_effective_january_28_2020.pdf

Mission: Portage Prepares' mission is to be a preparedness education program for the citizens of Portage County to help them know how to prepare for and survive the challenges of major weather events, disasters, health emergencies and other types of incidents while being a resource for learning to thrive and recover from disaster.

Operating as usual

12/26/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Cold temperatures and single digit wind chills this morning will slightly improve through the day with highs in the 20s. Some snow is possible in NW PA and extreme NE OH, mostly tonight as some scattered lake effect snow returns.

12/25/2020

City of Kent has issued a snow emergency parking ban, on street parking prohibited.

12/24/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Here are the current hazards across the area. Main change is that Summit, Portage, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Stark have been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning with 6-9 inches of snow expected. Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected at times across the warning areas. #ohwx #pawx

12/24/2020

WINTER STORM WARNING THROUGH FRIDAY 1 PM BY US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Winter Storm to Bring Widespread Snow Tonight Before Transitioning to Lake Effect Snow... .A strong cold front will move across the region today and slow near the Ohio/Pennsylvania border. Rain will transition over to snow this afternoon and evening as colder air aloft arrives behind the front. A brief window of a wintry mix is possible with this transition. Meanwhile, a new low pressure system will develop across the Southeast and move north towards the Mid- Atlantic, providing additional support for snow tonight. Most of the synoptic snow will fall from around sunset through about daybreak on Friday.

As this low departs, snow will transition to lake effect snow on Friday across Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania. Lake effect snow bands will begin fairly scattered before intensifying through Christmas day and continue into Saturday.

The best snow accumulations for lake effect at this time appear to be near the lakeshore. Westerly winds with gusts to 30 mph may allow for blowing snow, which could significantly reduce visibility and could cause drifting on north-south roadways. The strongest winds will be closest to Lake Erie. Temperatures will quickly fall into the 20s tonight behind the cold front.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches.
* WHERE...Summit, Portage, Trumbull, Stark and Mahoning counties.
* WHEN...Snow will develop toward dark and become heavy this evening. Snow will diminish Christmas morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday travelers across the region.
#PortagePrepares

12/24/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Winter weather arrives today! Rain will transition to snowfall across the area this afternoon with wind gusts near 30 mph. Moderate to heavy snowfall expected east of I71 this evening. Tomorrow, snow transitions to lake effect snow for the warning areas. #ohwx #pawx

12/23/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

A strong cold front and developing low pressure system will affect the area Thursday and Thursday night ushering in much colder air. Snow will begin Thursday afternoon and change to lake effect. Higher snow amounts are now possible around the watch area.

12/18/2020

Some helpful information from the Portage County Health District!
#PortagePrepares

When to return to work guidance if you have tested positive for covid-19 or are a close contact of someone exposed to covid-19.

12/14/2020

Free COVID-19 testing this week in #PortageCountyOH!
🔹Tuesday, Dec. 15, 12pm-4pm, at the Palmyra Townhall/Fire Station, 3956 State Route 225 - Diamond, OH 44412. Walk-in only.
!!!!! ADDITIONAL SITE ADDED FOR THIS WEEK!!!!!
🔹Thursday, Dec. 17, 10pm-2pm, at Northeast Ohio Medical University, Ralph Regula Entrance, 4209 State Route 44, Rootstown, OH. Walk-in only.
Sign up at: www.visit-healthcare.com, Click "Schedule your visit."
#PortagePrepares

12/13/2020

Ohio Emergency Management Agency

Happy Birthday to the National Guard! We appreciate all you have done during these uncertain times to assist with everything from testing to coordinating food distribution centers.

12/11/2020

I-76 eastbound is now open!

Traffic Alert: #PortageCounty Interstate 76 eastbound at State Route 532 is closed due to a crash. Motorists are advised to avoid this area. Check OHGO.com for updates! From Ohio Department of Transportation - Akron / Canton District 4 #PortagePrepares

12/05/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Scattered and light lake effect snow showers are expected across the snowbelt and vicinity today. A few raindrops may mix-in this afternoon, especially along the lakeshore.

12/03/2020

Portage County Health District

New Ohio Advisory System Map: PORTAGE COUNTY, OHIO is now at a level 4 (purple status 🟣)

Five new purple counties
⬇
Medina
***Portage*** 🟣
Richland
Stark
Summit

↔Lake, Lorain, and Montgomery remain purple.

Now on Watch List
⬇
Cuyahoga
Fairfield
Madison

12/02/2020

The snow emergency parking ban currently in effect for the City of Kent has been lifted. #PortagePrepares

12/02/2020

Ohio Department of Health

Questions about COVID-19? Dial our call center 9 a.m.-8 p.m., 7 days a week. 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). coronavirus.ohio.gov #InThisTogetherOhio

12/02/2020

The Winter Storm Warning has been cancelled for NE Ohio including #PortageCountyOH. We should see some ☀️today! #PortagePrepares

We will see clearing skies from West to East today. Most areas will enjoy mostly sunny skies by this afternoon. We will start out in the upper 20s this morning and have afternoon temps in the upper 30s.
#OHwx #PAwx #ThisIsCLE #NWS #Cleveland #Weather #WinterIsHere

12/02/2020

Latest from US National Weather Service Cleveland OH about the Winter Storm Warning ending story 10am Wednesday, Dec 2

Snow will end from west to east into Wednesday morning... .Snow will gradually taper off from west to east into Wednesday morning. The heaviest snow overnight is expected over the higher terrain of Northwest Pennsylvania where an additional 3 to 6 inches is possible. Additional snowfall in Ohio of 1 to 3 inches is possible with the higher amounts closer to the Pennsylvania state line. As snow ends and skies clear towards morning, be alert for increasingly slick conditions as temperatures drop and water freezes on untreated roads.
—WHAT...Snow occurring. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches will be possible with the highest amounts closer to the Pennsylvania state line. Westerly winds will gust to 25 mph inland and northwest winds as high as 35 mph near Lake Erie.
—WHERE...The primary and secondary snow belt of northeast Ohio.
—WHEN...Until 10 AM EST Wednesday.
—IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. —ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Untreated roads may become slick as temperatures drop into the upper 20s overnight.
#PortageCountyOH
#PortagePrepares

12/02/2020

City of Kent has issued a snow emergency parking ban, on street parking prohibited. #PortagePrepares

12/01/2020

Ohio Department of Transportation - Akron / Canton District 4

A live look from one of our plows on Interstate 480 in northern Summit County! We currently have 112 plows out in District 4 as of 6:00 a.m. Our crews remain on 12-hour shifts as they continue to treat the roads! Please give them plenty of room to work today #ODOTwinter

Check ohgo.com for a look at the traffic situation this morning before you go! #PortagePrepares

12/01/2020

Ohgo || Real-time Ohio traffic

Check ohgo.com for a look at the traffic situation this morning before you go! #PortagePrepares

Traffic Flow Receive up-to-the-minute updates on current traffic speeds, accidents or other incidents anywhere in Ohio so you can get there faster.

12/01/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Additional snowfall forecast from this morning through Wednesday. This snowfall forecast is for on top of what has already fallen. The heaviest snowfall will be this morning through the afternoon and for the #CLE area to NW PA.
#OHwx #PAwx #NWS #Cleveland #WinterStorm #Weather

12/01/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Our latest storm total snowfall forecast places the highest snow amounts across Geauga County, with additional high snow amounts across northern OH and NW PA. Please keep in mind that this is a long-duration event and these snowfall totals are for the next 36 hours. Compaction will occur. Snow will also struggle to accumulate on roadways at the onset of the event due to warm pavement temperatures.

More information can be found here: https://www.weather.gov/cle/winter

11/30/2020

Portage County Health District

Just in time for our Winter Weather Forecast - Our Portage County Safe Communities partner, Lori Cook from AAA!

11/30/2020

More free COVID-19 testing sites this week! #PortagePrepares

This week's list of pop-up testing sites in Ohio. Find our interactive map with testing sites across the state here: bit.ly/2Xu2N9F #InThisTogetherOhio

11/30/2020

Free COVID-19 testing this week in #PortageCountyOH!
🔹Tuesday, Dec. 1, 12pm-4pm, at the King Kennedy Center, 6660 Garfield Road, Ravenna. Walk-in only.
🔹Thursday, Dec. 3, 10am-2pm, at Freedom Township Townhall, 8966 State Route 700, Ravenna. Walk-in only.
#PortagePrepares

11/30/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Periods of heavy snow will produce hazardous driving conditions tonight through Wednesday morning. If you need to head out, make sure you have an emergency supply kit and prepare your car for travel. Keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared to change your travel plans.

11/30/2020

WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL DEC 2, 10AM, ISSUED BY US National Weather Service Cleveland OH
Winter Storm Will Impact the Region Early this Week... .Low pressure will track northeast near the Appalachian Mountains to the eastern Great Lakes today into Tuesday. Rain will overspread the area early Monday morning, transitioning to snow from west to east Monday evening. Heavy snow will be possible, especially for the primary and secondary snowbelts where greater than 12 inches will be possible. Gusty winds to 35 mph will be possible as well. Snow will diminish from west to east Tuesday through Wednesday. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches with locally higher amounts up to a foot and a half in higher terrain. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Ohio. * WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Higher snow drifts may be possible.

11/29/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Winter weather is expected to impact the area beginning Monday evening through Wednesday. Widespread 2-5 inches expected, with 8-12 inches possible in the snowbelt. Stay tuned to http://weather.gov/cle for forecast updates. #ohwx #pawx

11/28/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Confidence for accumulating snow continues to increase Monday evening through Tuesday night across the region. Specific snow amounts will surely change over the next few days, but we are beginning to focus on the area/s which might receive the heaviest snow. ❄❄ #OHwx #PAwx

11/26/2020

Happy Thanksgiving from the staff and volunteers of the Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. We are thankful for every #PortageCountyOH community and wish you a peaceful day. #PortagePrepares

11/26/2020

US National Weather Service Cleveland OH

Mild temperatures are expected today and through the holiday weekend. Scattered showers will diminish tonight with a slow decrease in cloud cover through the weekend.

11/24/2020

🔹 Today in #PortageCountyOH, 11/24, there will be FREE community COVID-19 testing at the Suffield Community Room (WALK-IN) from 10:00am-2:00pm. Thank you to the Portage County Health District! #PortagePrepares

11/23/2020

Portage County Health District Health Commissioner has issued a Stay at Home Advisory in effect from Nov. 20, 2020 to Dec. 18, 2020, in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases in Portage County. Portage County Health District #PortagePrepares

Portage County Health District Health Commissioner has issued a Stay at Home Advisory in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases in Portage County.

11/21/2020

It’s #WinterSafety Week! OCSW offers these winter driving tips: Let the engine warm up ▪ Keep windows & lights clear of snow & ice ▪ If your windshield wipers are on, turn on your headlights. Remember: Ice & Snow, Take It Slow.
Visit ODOT’s ohgo.com #PortagePrepares

11/21/2020

As winter approaches, gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. #WinterSafety #PortagePrepares

11/20/2020

Portage County Health District

Are you ready for this #winter season? If you are in an area prone to winter weather, be sure to create a disaster plan for your family and prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits. bit.ly/2GYFD3c #PrepYourHealth

Address

Portage County Office Of Homeland Security And Emergency Management 8240 Infirmary Road, (Justice Center)
Ravenna, OH
44266

General information

Portage Prepares Social Media Policy: This information will provide you as the visitor to the Portage Prepares page with details about how posts are handled by the Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This policy is in effect under the authorization of the Portage County Commissioners and the EMA Advisory Committee. PURPOSE Official Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management -Portage Prepares use of social media is intended to broaden the reach of communication and engagement with the community and stakeholders, while utilizing new platforms that offer methods of communicating beyond traditional sources of information such as the county website. Official social media tools will be used to: • Deliver public information, customer service to county residents • Advance countywide goals to education the public on disaster preparedness • Communicate directly to the public especially during emergencies/disaster The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management maintains the Portage Prepares social media sites on Facebook. Department staff will manage day-to-day operations of a social media site. Only county staff will serve as publishers. During times of activation of the Emergency Operations Center, members of the Public Information Group will be included in personnel using the Facebook and account. Portage Prepares will be posting • Relevant: Information that helps residents and pertains to their daily lives • Timely: Information about deadlines, upcoming events, news or related to current events. • Actionable: Information to register, attends, take action. Comments from Citizens Comments from the public are welcome on the Portage Prepares page. Comments will be monitored daily during working hours to ensure they meet certain criteria. County-created social media forums must be structured narrowly to focus discussions on a particular interest of Portage County rather than creating a “public forum.” Staff may only remove postings based on the guidelines below, not because a comment disagrees with county policy. The purpose of this site is to present matters of public interest in Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Portage County, including its many residents, businesses and visitors. We encourage you to submit your questions, comments, and concerns, but please note this is a moderated online discussion site and not a public forum. Once posted, the county reserves the right to delete these kinds of submissions containing: 1. Vulgar language 2. Personal attacks of any kind 3. Comments or content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, genetics, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or intellectual disability or sexual orientation 4. Spam or links to other sites 5. Posts that are clearly off topic 6. Posts that advocate illegal activity 7. Posts that promote particular services, products, or political organizations 8. Posts that infringe on copyrights or trademarks 9. Personally identifiable medical information 10. Information that may compromise the safety, security or proceedings of public systems or any criminal or civil investigations. Please note that the comments expressed on this site do not reflect the opinions and position of the Portage County Government or its officers and employees. If you have any questions concerning this social media platform, please contact the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at [email protected] Comments that do not meet these criteria shall be retained then deleted. Publishers will take screenshots of the original county post and the comment(s) that will be deleted. A description detailing why content was removed or deemed not suitable will be maintained Publishers may choose to reply to comments and engage residents in the same way we reply to phone and email inquiries, but business decorum will prevail and factual responses -- not opinions -- may be shared. Agency staff monitoring for and replying to comments will coordinate responses with other agencies, if appropriate, so the best response can be provided.

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:30
Thursday	08:00 - 16:30
Friday	08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

(330) 297-3607

Website

http://www.co.portage.oh.us

Alerts

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Videos

Portage County EMA app adds coronavirus information feature

The #PortageCountyOH Emergency Management App has a new COVID-19 feature...updated scientific and medical information from the CDC, local news and resources, FAQs, CDC alerts and more! Download the app for free at the iPhone App Store and Google+ for Androids. With the FREE app, you also receive weather alerts and can access EMA social media, local weather, weather radio and traffic. It has a section with contact information for local safety forces. You can also put your family emergency plan at the app and get helpful preparedness info. One more way you can be prepared! #PortagePrepares #COVID19 #COVID19OhioReady

Is it hailing where you are? #PortagePrepares

Wishes that good #weather follows you and yours today and throughout the coming year! Happy holidays. 🎄 From the staff at the #PortageCountyOH Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and #PortagePrepares.

Traveling N on I-71... Remnants of #Flo #Florence #Firenza have arrived in Ohio! US National Weather Service Cleveland OH #PortagePrepares #ohwx

Drink Water

#PrepareNow because it's supposed to be another hot one today! Make sure you are drinking water, staying out of the sun, and keeping cool the best you can.😀 🐪 #hydrate #NatlPrep

Right outside the Health & Safety trailer with the Portage County Health Department. We're demoing tornados is a bottle. Come find us on Freedom Street at the #RandolphFair16. We're next to Maplewood Career Center. #PortagePrepares

#RavennaCruiseIn Keepin' the Peace

Carter meets up with his friends at Ravenna Police Department during the #RavennaCruiseIn.

Thanks, Streetsboro Fire Department, for the great safety tips. Here's another way to enjoy fireworks! Happy Independence Day, Portage County!

Need help building a kit? The Hiram Terrier, KSU's Flash and Nate the Walking Whale from NEOMED are here to show you how. The collegiate mascot trio was on hand for the launch of Portage Prepares. With Flash, flair, fur and fins, they filled a kit that was donated to Freedom House, the residential facility for veterans in Kent. Watch now!