Severe Weather Awareness Week Kicks Off Today

Severe Weather Awareness Week (Feb. 7-11) in Georgia kicks off today.

Just nine days into the New Year, Georgia was hit with its first experience of severe weather—a snowstorm that affected 70 percent of the state.

Forsyth County residents are encouraged to prepare for severe weather by getting your household ready with a number of items.

To get you started a customized checklist of emergency supplies and a tailored family communications plan can be found here on Cumming Patch.

“It is imperative that every household not only assemble and maintain a disaster kit, but also prepare and have in place an emergency plan,” Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency Director and Fire Chief Danny Bowman said in a statement. “I encourage every resident to have a plan in place that every member of your household is familiar with. This will prove invaluable in times of emergency.”

Each day this week the state will focus on several topics:

Monday, Feb. 7 – Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio Day

Tuesday, Feb. 8 – Thunderstorm Safety

Wednesday, Feb. 9 – Tornado Safety and Statewide Tornado Drill (issued by National Weather Service)

Thursday, Feb. 10 – Lightning Safety

Friday, Feb. 11 – Flood Safety (alternate tornado drill date)

“Take time now to prepare for the extreme weather the rest of the year can bring,” said Charley English, director of Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)/Homeland Security in a statement to Cumming Patch. “Tornadoes, storms and floods can devastate our communities, but devastation can be minimized if we’re prepared.”

Here are some tips to keep in mind when putting together an emergency plan for you and your family:

• Pick two places to meet: a spot right outside of your home for an emergency such as a fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you are unable to return home.
• Choose an out-of-state friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call should the family get separated.
• Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

When assembling a disaster supply kit, some of the items recommended for inclusion are:

• Weather radio
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
• Food that will not spoil
• First aid kit
• Prescription medicines

"By preparing for one emergency, you are actually arming yourself against many types of disasters," continued English. “Our goal is for all residents to be their own first responders and to be able to help others in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.”

For more information on putting together a customized checklist of emergency supplies and a tailored family communications plan visit Ready Profiles at www.ready.ga.gov.