PHPOLL: Only 18% of PHWEEK Readers Prepared for Severe Weather with an Emergency Kit

Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., along with representatives from Georgia's emergency management agencies joined Governor Nathan Deal to proclaim the week of Feb. 6-10, 2012, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia.

Georgia is no stranger to the effects of severe weather. The beginning of 2011 brought with it snow and ice that paralyzed the northern third of the state of several days. Fifteen people were killed and 143 injured across the state when tornadoes struck in April. Even though we’ve had mostly mild weather so far this year, 2012 started off with a tornado that struck Gordon County, damaging over 100 homes. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages all Georgian’s to make sure their families are prepared for severe weather.

Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., along with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA), the National Weather Service (NWS) and Georgia’s local emergency management agencies joined Governor Nathan Deal to proclaim the week of Feb. 6-10, 2012, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia. The goal of the week-long observance is to encourage Georgians to practice emergency preparedness and response procedures for all types of severe weather events that occur in the state.

The proclamation took place at the Capitol just days after devastating tornadoes struck our neighbor, Alabama. The severe weather in Alabama was a strong reminder to everyone in Georgia about the power of Mother Nature.

 

An EF3 tornado struck Gordon County in early January, damaging over 100 homes. Photo courtesy CBS Atlanta News

“We must always be mindful of the fact that weather can present very serious challenges,” said Gov. Nathan Deal during the proclamation ceremony. “In light of the recent tornadoes in Alabama, we must make the public aware of the necessity of preparedness.”

Severe weather has taken the lives of at least 350 Georgians since 1978 including 23 in 2011.

“Severe weather often has a direct and significant impact on the health of the residents of Georgia,” said Pat O’Neal, M.D., Director of the Division of Health Protection for the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). “It is our job in Public Health to be prepared for and monitor the health needs of those who are impacted by severe weather events in order to respond appropriately.”

DPH can save lives by educating and informing Georgians about safety preparedness and response procedures for a variety of severe weather events, such as tornadoes, lightning, thunderstorms, floods and flash floods, winter storms and hurricanes. DPH recommends that families keep an emergency preparedness supply kit consisting of 11 essential items. These items are:

• Water: at least three gallons per person for drinking and sanitation
• Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Clothes and blankets
• Cash
• Manual can opener
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Medications
• Important documents in a water-proof container
• Battery-powered or hand crank NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
• Hygiene items
• Ffirst aid kit


Gov. Deal emphasized the importance of being prepared for severe weather. “Although government is here to help, fallen trees, downed communication systems or flooded roads may prevent first responders from reaching you quickly,” said Gov. Deal. “However, by taking a few simple steps, you could become your own first responder.”

The week’s activities will kick-off with Family Preparedness Day on Feb. 6, when every household is encouraged to get a NOAA Weather Radio and program it for their county. The week’s specific observations are:

Monday, Feb. 6 – Family Preparedness and NOAA Weather Radio
Tuesday, Feb. 7 – Thunderstorm Safety
Wednesday, Feb. 8 – Tornado Safety and Statewide Tornado Drill (issued by NWS)
Thursday, Feb. 9 – Lightning Safety
Friday, Feb. 10 – Flood Safety

To help Georgians prepare for severe weather, GEMA’s Ready Georgia– a statewide emergency preparedness campaign – offers tools that residents can use to create an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. For preparedness on the go, families can also download Ready Georgia’s free mobile app to learn how to prepare for emergencies, create family communications plans and more. The mobile app was funded and directed by DPH and has been downloaded over 20,000 times.

GEMA suggests taking the following steps to prepare for severe weather:
• Be sure every family member knows important phone numbers for schools, offices, home and emergency services.
• Identify an out-of town contact. It might be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call in town, so an out-of-town contact is in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
• Identify a meeting place near your home where family members can meet if separated during severe weather.
• Identify a meeting place away from your home where family members can meet if your neighborhood in not accessible.
• Map out evacuation routes in case you are ordered to evacuate, and always keep at least half a tank of gas in your car.
• Know your insurance policies and visit www.floodsmart.gov  to learn whether your home is in a flood zone.

For more information on severe weather preparedness, visit these websites: www.ready.ga.gov,www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc,  http://health.state.ga.us/programs/emerprep/


-Story by Kimberly Stringer, DPH Communications

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