In partnership with the National Weather Service, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and Liberty County Emergency Management Agency encourage Georgians to learn and understand severe weather threats and prepare for various weather events during Severe Weather Preparedness Week on Feb. 5-9. 

“Given the recent severe storms, tornado outbreaks, and straight-line winds that have occurred within our region, residents should take this time to prepare now more than ever,” said LCEMA Director Robert Dodd. “We strive for our citizens to be well informed and educated before any weather event strikes to prevent loss of life and significant property damage.” Spring is traditionally a period where the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and lightning from severe thunderstorms dramatically increases. Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a reminder to review emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.

GEMA/HS will distribute severe weather preparedness information via social media channels and provide toolkits to local emergency management directors for sharing this information in their counties during the SWPW campaign.

Each day of the campaign will address the following topics:

• Monday, February 5 — Family Preparedness/ NOAA Weather Radio Day: Purchase a life-saving NOAA Weather Radio and choose an out-of-state friend as a “check-in” contact to call if your family gets separated.

• Tuesday, February 6 — Thunderstorm Safety: Learn the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a thunderstorm warning.

• Wednesday, February 7 — Tornado Safety (Drill at 9 a.m.): Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning. Weather permitting, the LCEMA will conduct a NWR test warning message at 9:30 a.m. The message will go out as a Routine Weekly Test (RWT) product via NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) and is designed to help trigger statewide schools, businesses, and other groups to practice their severe weather/tornado safety actions and procedures.

• Thursday, February 8 — Lightning Safety: Learn the 30/30 rule. If, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder, go indoors. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

• Friday, February 9 — Flash Flooding and Flood Safety: Copy essential documents, seal them in a watertight container, and add them to your Ready kit.

Local emergency management agencies are also excellent resources for information or tips to help families, schools, and organizations stay prepared.

For more resources on how you can prepare your home, school, or business for severe weather emergencies and other disasters, visit gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ ready-georgia and follow @GeorgiaEMAHS on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for preparedness tips and emergency information.