A convenience store employee collects what he can from the rubble of where the business once stood at the intersection of Cherry Street and U.S. 41 after the deadly tornado hit downtown Adairsville Jan. 30. Photo courtesy of Erin Gray, Neighbor Newspapers.

 

Recovery efforts continue in Adairsville, the focal point of devastation wrought by an EF-3 tornado and accompanying storms Jan. 30.

 

Various media sources in Georgia reported on the 160 mile-per-hour winds that toppled structures, tossed vehicles and wiped out power service for thousands. Two died and many others were injured in the storms that caused an estimated $75 million in damage.

 

While expressing sympathy for the storm victims and their families, GEMA/Homeland Security Director Charley English also expressed thanks to the agencies and individuals who responded to the need.

 

"It takes an entire team -- local and state agencies, along with volunteer and faith-based organizations and the private sector -- to respond to a disaster. We are fortunate to have the Georgia Department of Public Health as a key part of our committed team of disaster response professionals," English said. "We also thank the dedicated group of 1,600 volunteers who stepped in to help clear debris and repair homes in the storm-stricken area."

 

Cathryn Wiley, emergency preparedness director for Northwest Health District 1-1, where the bulk of the destruction occurred, was driving on I-75 through Adairsville just seconds before the tornado raked the area.

 

A dog stands guard outside of the ravaged home of a victim killed by a deadly tornado in Adairsville Jan. 30. Photo courtesy of Erin Gray, Neighbor Newspapers.

"I did not see it but did receive notification of it on my phone. I received several phone calls about the event but did not realize the impact until I was at a meeting in Atlanta and saw it on the news there at the meeting. My immediate concern was any need for our support in helping to locate additional resources for EMS," Wiley said.

 

Wiley and other public health responders spent the rest of the day coordinating response efforts through a number of communication channels. The State Operations Center at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency was activated and used to sync the efforts of various agencies as storms continued to threaten.

 

While these efforts helped mitigate the threat, many responders, including Wiley, said there were aspects that can be improved.

 

"The greatest need I see is a better system of communication between agencies such as American Red Cross, public health and the Department of Family and Children's Services. Role responsibilities need to be better defined and made available to all agencies," Wiley said.

 

A resident of one of Adairsville s tornado-ravaged areas walks through debris left in the street from the deadly storm on Jan. 30. Photo courtesy of Erin Gray, Neighbor Newspapers.

Responding to disasters like the Jan. 30 storms is all about expecting the unexpected, according to public health Emergency Preparedness Technology Manager Valerie Attell.

 

"We were using, as well as updating, our Statewide Emergency Notification software application, WebEOC," Attell said. "I have to admit, we did find some bugs in the software during this event; however, it was something that we worked out 'live.' The Emergency Preparedness and Response Department had two conference calls with the emergency coordinators in every district so we could update the entire group."

 

Challenges are inherent in virtually every disaster but they are best overcome by a cooperative commitment to protecting the health and safety of those in the impacted area, Wiley said.

"The greatest blessing I received was to see so many local and long distance folks volunteering and responding to the needs in both Adairsville and Gordon County. Plans may fail but people don't!"

  

-Story by Eric Jens, DPH Communications