Governor Nathan Deal, in collaboration with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency Homeland Security and the National Weather Service, looks to refresh, remind and educate Georgians about the seasonal threats from severe weather during Severe Weather Preparedness Week (Feb. 1-5).

“Georgia began the year with torrential rains and flash floods. And though tornadoes can occur year round, the threat increases through spring along with high wind gusts, hail, and lightning from thunderstorms. We want our citizens to be aware of the risks associated with severe weather and provide them with information that will help them be better prepared for the unexpected,” said GEMA/HS Director Jim Butterworth.

Take advantage of Severe Weather Preparedness Week to review your own family's emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.

Monday, Feb. 1 – 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. 2 – Thunderstorm Safety: Learn the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a thunderstorm warning.

Wednesday, Feb. 3 – Tornado Safety (and PrepareAthon! drill for tornado safety): Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.

Thursday, Feb. 4 – Lightning Safety: Learn the 30/30 rule. Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

Friday, Feb. 5 – Flood Safety (alternate date for PrepareAthon! drill for tornado safety): Copy important documents, seal them in a watertight container and add them to your Ready kit.

Stay connected with GEMA/HS via: Facebook.com/GEMA.OHS Twitter.com/GeorgiaEMA Ready.GA.gov

To help Georgians prepare for severe weather, GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia campaign offers resources and information residents can use to be informed about potential threats, develop a communications plan and create an emergency supply kit.

An interactive website provides detailed information on Georgia-specific emergency preparedness and allows users to create a personal profile and receive a customized checklist and family communications plan. Employers can use the Ready Your Business guide to create custom contingency plans, and children can visit the Ready Kids page for age-appropriate information, videos and games. For preparedness and severe weather alerts on the go, families can also download Ready Georgia’s free mobile app.

The statewide PrepareAthon! tornado drill is Wednesday, Feb. 3. (Alternate date Friday, Feb. 5).  At 9 a.m. NOAA Weather Radios will sound in a simulated tornado warning. There will not be an actual tornado warning issued for the drill and the emergency alert system will not be activated. Tornado sirens will be activated at the discretion of the county authorities. If your NOAA Weather Radio does not sound at the time the routine weekly test is issued, simply start the drill on your own.

As part of the Office of the Governor, GEMA/HS works with local, state and federal governments, in partnership with the private sector and faith-based community, to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. In addition, GEMA/HS employees are on 24-hour call statewide to assist local authorities when disaster strikes. Go to www.ready.ga.gov or download the free Ready Georgia app to get information on preparing for a disaster and developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.