Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest opens for students

As part of the 2026 Severe Weather Awareness campaign, the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, in cooperation with the National Weather Service and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, has announced that the annual Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest is now open for submissions.

The contest is open to all Ohio students in kindergarten through eighth grade, including individualized instruction, public, private and home-school classes.

Designed to encourage students to learn about severe weather safety and preparedness, the contest invites children to illustrate Ohio severe weather events such as tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding. Students can show through their artwork the actions people should take before, during and after severe weather to protect themselves and others.

“Ohio can see many weather events all year-round,” Ohio EMA Director Sima Merick said. “This contest provides an opportunity for students in Ohio to use their creative skills to learn about severe weather safety and preparedness.”

Poster entries must be postmarked or emailed to Ohio EMA by Jan. 12, 2026.

More information, including contest rules and entry forms, is available on the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness website at weathersafety.ohio.gov/.

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