September is National Preparedness Month, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is taking advantage of the opportunity to ask residents to “Prepare to protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio EMA and ReadyOhio are asking families to work toward weekly preparedness goals such as building an emergency kit, making an emergency plan or volunteering within our communities. These are things each of us can quickly and easily do to be better prepared the next time Mother Nature leaves us at a loss.

“Emergencies can happen at any time and without any notice, so it’s important to think ahead and be prepared. National Preparedness Month is a good opportunity for Ohioans to make a plan to expect the unexpected,” DeWine said.

Such efforts are important. In our region we could face tornadoes, floods, fires, industrial accidents … the list is worryingly endless. It has happened in the past. And with wintertime approaching before you know it, get a preparedness kit for your vehicle in case you ever get stuck somewhere on icy and snowy roads. It happens every year to some people who live in our part of the country.

Certainly the tornado that came through the Wintersville area on July 29 as well as the news of western wildfires and Hurricane Ida’s wrath remind us just how bad it can get — particularly when we’re not prepared.

But while we’re busy protecting from the unknown, DeWine said we also should redouble our efforts to prepare for and protect against this virus we have known for a year and a half.

editorial@vindy.com