Severe Weather Awareness Week has taken on a new meaning in Coweta County during the past year. Those were the words of Coweta Emergency Management Director Jay Jones in preparation for families increasing their awareness of severe weather conditions and precautions during the week of Feb. 6-10.
Jones said the Coweta County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) supports the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA) and the National Weather Service in observing Feb. 6-10 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. In that spirit, Jones encourages families to learn emergency preparedness and response procedures for all types of severe weather.
“With all of the severe weather we have experienced with three tornadoes in the last 10 months in April and December 2011 and again in earlier this month, Severe Weather Awareness Week has taken on a new meaning at least here in Coweta County,” Jones said.
Jones suggested that families focus each day on a different type of emergency.
“Family preparedness is the focus on Monday, Feb. 6,” said Jones. “Family Preparedness Day is a time for every family in Coweta County to plan and rehearse what they should do during the first 72 hours of any severe weather-related event or disaster.”
To help families get started, Ready Georgia, a statewide emergency preparedness campaign established by GEMA, offers the tools needed to make an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. Visitors to Ready Georgia’s website, www.ready.ga.gov, can create an online profile to receive a tailored plan for the entire family that includes the specific amount of supplies to put in their household Ready kits.
“During winter storms, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes, it may take emergency workers 72 hours or more to reach certain areas in order to open roadways and restore utilities. The benefit of being self-sufficient for at least three days is that your family can survive circumstances that might otherwise be tragic if you were not prepared,” Jones explained. “With a little time and effort, families can prepare for severe weather hazards affecting our area. Developing a family disaster plan is the first step.”
Jones suggested that families make a severe weather plan.
“Gather all the information your family will need from local, state and national preparedness sources. Then discuss the information you have gathered,” said Jones. “Pick two places to meet: a spot very near your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your ‘family check-in contact’ for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.”
And Jones suggested that, once established, families implement the plan and practice it.
Tuesday, Feb. 7 is Thunderstorm Safety Day.
“Straight-line winds can reach speeds in excess of 100 mph and produce damage similar to a tornado,” Jones said. “The biggest threat from severe thunderstorms is damaging straight-line winds and large hail. These winds occur, on average, 19 days each year in Georgia. They occur in every month of the year, but are most common in the spring and summer months, peaking in July.”
Jones also advised that residents remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 is Tornado Safety Day. This day will have Coweta participating in a statewide tornado drill.
Last year, the U.S. experienced the largest tornado outbreak on record. Jones said Georgia was pummeled by 15 tornadoes on April 27-28, which killed 15 people and injured 143 across the state. The most powerful twister to hit Georgia was an EF-4 storm that struck in Catoosa County, killing eight and injuring at least 30. That storm, with winds in excess of 175 mph, was one-third of a mile wide and was on the ground for 13 miles before finally dissipating in Tennessee, Jones added.
“The best thing to do to protect yourself and your family is to have a plan of action before a threatening tornado develops,” said Jones. “Assemble a disaster kit containing needed supplies and pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered. If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.”
As important as anything with a tornado is heeding the alerts and to seek immediate shelter when a tornado warning is issued, Jones added.
Thursday, Feb. 9 is meant to stimulate awareness of the dangers of lightning.
“Learn the basic safety rules and precautions about thunderstorms and the embedded killer called lightning. Share this knowledge with your family and friends. Don’t be caught off-guard by these storms,” Jones said. “When outdoors, be aware of the most current local weather forecasts. Always stay alert for signs of approaching thunderstorms. Lightning is nature’s warning signal that a thunderstorm is in its most violent state and that you should seek shelter immediately.”
And Friday, Feb. 10 is a day to think about preparations for flood safety.
Jones said floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters, except fire. In Georgia, many communities experienced severe flooding in 2009 caused by rains and heavy thunderstorms in the spring and fall. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed and 10 people lost their lives. Dam failures are potentially the worst flood events. When a dam fails, an enormous quantity of water suddenly rushes downstream, destroying anything in its path, said Jones.
“Neighborhoods located in low-lying areas are especially at risk for flooding. Those near bodies of water or downstream from a dam are vulnerable, too,” said Jones.
As with the preparation for and response to other types of emergencies, it is important to develop a family disaster plan that covers flooding. And as previously stated, state and federal websites can assist a family with nearly any advanced planning need.
For more information, contact Jay Jones Coweta County EMA at 770-254-2650 or visit these websites: www.ready.ga.gov, www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/ or www.gema.ga.gov.
