COLUMBUS (WCMH)–Counties across the entire state of Ohio tested their outdoor tornado warning systems at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, as part of the annual Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week preparedness plan.

Schools and businesses were encouraged to participate in the tornado drill, locating the safest and sturdiest portion of a building in the event of a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service office.

Franklin County operates 196 tornado sirens, and all but one worked perfectly. A crew will be dispatched to follow up on a possible malfunctioning siren in Groveport off Rohr  Road.

The average range of a tornado sirens is only about one mile. How far the sound carries is dependent on weather conditions–wind direction and even the humidity. Interim Franklin County EMA and Homeland Security Director Darrel Koerber added, “These are outdoor warning sirens, they’re not intended for indoor warning.”

In the past decade, Franklin County has added nearly 50 tornado sirens to improve coverage, which now includes 93 percent of the county, Koerber said. “We’re always looking to jurisdictions to see what their needs are.”What others are clicking on: