Tornado tips:
• Assemble a disaster kit containing first aid kit and essential medications, canned food, water, bedding, a radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
• Stay tuned for storm warnings. A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately.
• For more information, contact Liberty County EMA at 368-2201.
• Assemble a disaster kit containing first aid kit and essential medications, canned food, water, bedding, a radio, flashlight and extra batteries.
• Stay tuned for storm warnings. A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately.
• For more information, contact Liberty County EMA at 368-2201.
March is Severe Storm and Tornado Preparedness Month, and in an effort to keep Liberty County residents safe from the natural disaster known for high winds and heavy rains, the Emergency Management Agency will launch a city-wide tornado drill tomorrow.
“We will activate the tornado siren at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 5. This is only an exercise drill. There is no activity of tornadoes in our area,” EMA representative Sherri Norman said.
While tornadoes are not common in Coastal Georgia, they pose a serious threat when sighted.
“Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air, extending from a thunderstorm that is in contact with the ground. Tornadoes can vary in shape, size and intensity,” said Mike Hodges, director of Liberty County’s EMA. “Most tornadoes are weak, lasting a few minutes and producing winds of less than 100 mph. However, a few tornadoes are strong and violent. These tornadoes last from 20 minutes to over an hour and can produce winds of between 100 and 300 mph.”
Hodges said there are precautions families should take in order to protect themselves against destructive weather.
“The best thing to do to protect yourself and your family is to have a plan of action before a threatening tornado develops,” Hodges said. “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.”
“We will activate the tornado siren at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 5. This is only an exercise drill. There is no activity of tornadoes in our area,” EMA representative Sherri Norman said.
While tornadoes are not common in Coastal Georgia, they pose a serious threat when sighted.
“Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air, extending from a thunderstorm that is in contact with the ground. Tornadoes can vary in shape, size and intensity,” said Mike Hodges, director of Liberty County’s EMA. “Most tornadoes are weak, lasting a few minutes and producing winds of less than 100 mph. However, a few tornadoes are strong and violent. These tornadoes last from 20 minutes to over an hour and can produce winds of between 100 and 300 mph.”
Hodges said there are precautions families should take in order to protect themselves against destructive weather.
“The best thing to do to protect yourself and your family is to have a plan of action before a threatening tornado develops,” Hodges said. “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.”