Delaware County officials mark tornado anniversary, urge preparedness during Severe Weather Awareness Week

Delaware County emergency officials marked the first anniversary of a damaging tornado near Selma and used presentations during Severe Weather Awareness Week to urge residents to review plans, heed watches and warnings, and sign up for county alerts.

John Catino, director of the Delaware County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, opened the briefing by noting last year’s tornado that affected Selma and nearby communities and by reviewing watch and warning definitions from the National Weather Service. “A severe thunderstorm watch means you should be prepared, as severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area,” Catino said, adding that a severe thunderstorm warning is issued when severe weather has been reported by trained spotters, law enforcement, or radar. “A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or…