As colder weather settles into Chattooga County and the rest of Northwest Georgia, state officials are using this week — December 1st through 5th — to help residents get ready for potential winter hazards. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, along with the National Weather Service, is launching Winter Weather Preparedness Week, urging families to review safety plans and prepare emergency supplies before winter storms strike.

State officials say Georgia has already seen how quickly winter weather can impact the entire state, from ice to snow to freezing rain. This awareness campaign is designed to keep residents informed, prepared, and ready to respond when conditions turn dangerous.

Each day this week, GEMA and the National Weather Service will focus on a different winter safety topic. Today’s focus is Winter Weather Terminology — an important reminder of what different alerts actually mean:

• Winter Storm Watch — issued 12 to 48 hours before the possibility of significant winter weather. This is your cue to prepare and pay attention to updates.
• Winter Weather Advisory — issued when winter weather is imminent and likely to cause inconveniences, though not severe enough for a warning. This is the time to put your safety plans into action.
• Winter Storm Warning — issued when a major winter event is expected and poses a threat to life or property. This signals serious, potentially dangerous conditions.

Officials urge all Georgians to update their family communication plans and make sure their Ready Kits include essentials like flashlights, blankets, food, water, medications, and battery backups.

Winter weather can develop quickly — being informed now means being safer later.