Ohio · Preparedness Guide

Ohio packs a surprising amount of hazard variety into a mid-sized state. Northwest Ohio — the Toledo area — sits in the path of Lake Erie lake-effect snowbands. Northeast Ohio around Cleveland gets hammered by Lake Erie snow every winter. The Ohio River defines the southern border and floods regularly. Central and western Ohio are in an active tornado corridor — the 1974 Xenia EF-5 remains one of the worst single tornadoes in US history. The February 2023 East Palestine train derailment — a chemical spill that affected soil and water across the region — demonstrated Ohio's vulnerability as a major rail corridor for hazardous materials. Ohio is also home to several nuclear plants and significant industrial infrastructure. Preparation here covers a wider hazard spectrum than most residents realize.