Community Corner

Georgia Kicks Off Severe Weather Awareness Week

Monday begins a week-long campaign to help families prepare for unexpected

Spring is just around the corner which means the possibility of severe weather hitting the metro Atlanta area. Storms, tornadoes, hale, floods  and strong winds, often move in quickly. Last month's snow storm that affected nearly 70 percent of the state proves that we are all at Mother Nature's mercy.

Beginning on Monday, Feb. 7, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)/Homeland Security is launching a family preparedness week to assist families in getting ready for unexpected severe weather.

Ready Georgia, a campaign sponsored by the state offers a free, interactive online tool for families with instructions and suggestions on preparing for an emergency. A website, www.ready.ga.gov, offers details for developing a customized family communications plan and emergency supply checklist.

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"Our state works diligently to protect residents in extreme situations, bud individual and families need to take their own steps to prepare," said Charley English, director of GEMA/Homeland Security. "With a Ready kit and plan in place, Georgians can become their own first responders during severe weather until help can arrive."

Having a NOAA Weather Radio is one of the best items to have on hand during severe weather. NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service office.

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Having one in your home, English saidlll, will provide you with important and timely information that just may save your life.

Important information for preparing for severe weather:

  • Make a Ready kit of emergency supplies for your home, car and office. Most of the recommended items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life.
  • Be sure every family member knows important phone numbers for schools, offices, home and emergency services.
  • Stay informed about severe weather, learn you community's warning signals and evacuation plans.
  • Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, television and the Internet to stay informed of severe weather conditions.

Editor's note: Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters and other large-scale emergencies.


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