State Kicks Off Georgia Severe Weather Preparedness Week

FOREST PARK, Ga. — Feb. 6, 2023 — Today, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency kicked off Severe Weather Preparedness Week (February 6-10), which encourages individuals to learn and understand the threats of severe weather.

In Georgia, spring is traditionally a period where the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and lightning from severe thunderstorms greatly increases. For many, Severe Weather Preparedness Week also serves as a reminder to review emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.

“Given the recent severe storms, tornado outbreaks and straight-line winds that happened across our state a couple of weeks ago, residents should take this time to prepare now more than ever,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “We strive for our citizens to be well informed and educated before any weather event strikes to prevent loss of life and significant damage to property.”

Each day of the campaign will address the following topics:

• Monday, Feb. 6 – 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, Feb. 7 – Thunderstorm Safety: Learn the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a thunderstorm warning.
• Wednesday, Feb. 8 – Tornado Safety: Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.
• Thursday, Feb. 9 – 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, Feb. 10 – Flood Safety: Copy important documents, seal them in a watertight container and add them to your emergency kit.

City of Forest Park residents are encouraged to sign up for the CodeRED emergency notification system. In the event of an evacuation, utility outage, water main break, fire or flood, chemical spill or other emergency situation, the city uses CodeRED to send mass notifications by phone, email and text to keep citizens informed.

Individuals can sign up to receive notifications by clicking here or by copying and pasting the following URL link in a web browser: public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFB7CC4C6C0A; there is NO COST to register to receive CodeRED phone calls, texts, and/or email.

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.