Emergency Management

Do you have a Family Preparedness Plan?

Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. Before an emergency happens, sit down together and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supply kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.

Download the Family Emergency Preparedness Plan and get started on your plan today!

Watch the video to learn more!

What you need to know about extreme heat.

Heat can kill by pushing the human body beyond its limits. Under normal conditions, the body’s internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Elderly people, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to become victims of extreme heat. Because men sweat more than women, they are more susceptible to heat illness because they become more quickly dehydrated.

The duration of excessive heat plays an important role in how people are affected by a heat wave. Studies have shown that a significant rise in heat-related illnesses happens when excessive heat lasts more than two days. Spending at least two hours per day in air conditioning significantly cuts down on the number of heat-related illnesses.

What is Extreme Heat?

The parameters of an extreme heat watch, warning, or advisory can vary by location. Generally, temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region, last for prolonged periods of time, and are often accompanied by high humidity, that the body cannot tolerate are defined as extreme heat. A heat wave is a very dangerous situation.

People living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than people living in rural regions. An increased health problem, especially for those with respiratory difficulties, can occur when stagnant atmospheric conditions trap pollutants in urban areas, thus adding unhealthy air to excessively hot temperatures. In addition, asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually releases heat at night, which produces significantly higher nighttime temperatures in urban areas known as the “urban heat island effect.”

Awareness Information

Know these terms:

• 
  

  Heat wave: Prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity. The National Weather Service steps up its procedures to alert the public during these periods when it anticipates an increase in human heat-related illnesses.

• 
  

  Heat index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees.

• 
  

  Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.

• 
  

  Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim’s condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.

• 
  

  Heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

• 
  

  Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.

Watch for Signals

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  Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or is likely to be rising.

• 
  

  Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high -sometimes as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

How to Treat a Heat Emergency

• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can until help arrives. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

  
  

• Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.

  
  

• Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

  
  

If you are at risk from extreme heat:

• If your home does not have air conditioning, choose other places you go to get relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day. Schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities often provide air-conditioned refuge on the hottest days. Air conditioning provides the safest escape from extreme heat.

  
  

• Plan changes in your daily activities to avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Ill effects of heat can quickly overcome the healthiest people, if they perform strenuous work during the warmest parts of the day. Symptoms of dehydration are not easily recognized and are often confused with other causes. Dehydration occurs fast and makes you ill very quickly.

  
  

• Some family members may be taking medications or have medical conditions that may cause poor blood circulation or reduced ability to tolerate heat. Discuss these concerns with a physician. A physician can advise you about changes to medication or other activities you can do to temporarily relieve the effects of heat.

  
  

• Plan to check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning or who spend much of their time alone. Elderly persons who live alone or with a working relative might need assistance on hot days. The majority of deaths during the 1995 Midwest heat wave were persons who were alone.

  
  

• Plan to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away the sun’s rays more than dark colors, which absorb the sun’s rays.

  
  

• Get training. Take an American Red Cross first aid course to learn how to treat heat emergencies and other emergencies. Everyone should know how to respond, because the effects of heat can happen very quickly.

  
  

• Discuss extreme heat wave with your family. Everyone should know what to do in the places where they spend time. Some places may not be air conditioned or safe during a heat wave, so plan alternatives. Discussing extreme heat ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety, and lets everyone know how to respond.

  
  

Protect Your Property

• Install window air conditioners snugly. Insulate spaces around air conditioners for a tighter fit. An air conditioner with a tight fit around the windows or wall openings will make less noise and allow less hot air in from the outside.

  
  

• Make sure your home is properly insulated. This will help you to conserve electricity and reduce your home’s power demands for air conditioning. Weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cool air inside, allowing the inside temperature to stay cooler longer.

• During a drought, conserve water by placing a brick, or another large solid object, in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used in flushing.

  
  

• Consider keeping storm windows installed throughout the year. Storm windows can keep the heat out of a house in the summer the same way they keep the cold out in the winter.

  
  

• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation, according to the tips laid out on this page. Insulation around ducts prevents cool air from leaking and keeps it directed through the vents.

• Protect windows. Hang shades, draperies, awnings, or louvers on windows that receive morning or afternoon sun. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering the house by as much as 80 percent.

  
  

• Use attic fans. If you have a fan installed to vent warm air out of your attic, use the fan to help keep your home cool.

  
  

What to Do During Extreme Heat?

• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities. High-risk individuals should stay in cool places. Get plenty of rest to allow your natural “cooling system” to work. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Many heat emergencies are experienced by people exercising or working during the hottest part of the day.

  
  

• Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. The sun will also heat the inner core of your body, resulting in dehydration. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high sun protection factor (SPF) rating.

  
  

• Postpone outdoor games and activities. Extreme heat can threaten the health of athletes, staff, and spectators of outdoor games and activities.

  
  

• Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly and very young people.

  
  

• Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Even in the warmest weather, staying indoors, out of sunshine, is safer than long periods of exposure to the sun.

  
  

• Keep heat outside and cool air inside. Close any registers that may allow heat inside. Install temporary reflectors, such as aluminum foil covered cardboard, in windows and skylights to reflect heat back outside.

  
  

• Conserve electricity not needed to keep you cool. During periods of extreme heat, people tend to use a lot more power for air conditioning. Conserve electricity not used to keep you cool so power can remain available and reduce the chance of a community wide outage.

  
  

• Vacuum air conditioner filters weekly during periods of high use. Air conditioner filters can become clogged or filled with dirt, making them less efficient. Keeping them clean will allow your air conditioner to provide more cool air.

  
  

• If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Air conditioned locations are the safest places during extreme heat because electric fans do not cool the air. Fans do help sweat evaporate, which gives a cooling effect.

  
  

• Dress appropriately:

  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps maintain normal body temperature. Cover as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn and over-warming effects of sunlight on your body.

    
    

  •  Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. A hat will keep direct sunlight off your head and face. Sunlight can burn and warm the inner core of your body. Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Injury and death can occur from dehydration, which can happen quickly and unnoticed. Symptoms of dehydration are often confused with other causes. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; who are on fluid-restrictive diets; or who have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake. Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors. Frequent breaks, especially in a cool area or to drink fluids, can help people tolerate heat better.

    
    

  • Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat. Partners can keep an eye on each other and can assist each other when needed. Sometimes exposure to heat can cloud judgment. Chances are if you work alone, you may not notice this.

    
    

  • Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your body needs water to keep cool. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies.

  • Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat’s effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which actually dehydrates the body.

  • Eat small meals and eat more often. Large, heavy meals are more difficult to digest and cause your body to increase internal heat to aid digestion, worsening overall conditions. Avoid foods that are high in protein, such as meats and nuts, which increase metabolic heat.

  • Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician. Salt causes the body to retain fluids, resulting in swelling. Salt affects areas of your body that help you sweat, which would keep you cool. Persons on salt-restrictive diets should check with a physician before increasing salt intake.

    
    

  • NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over 140 degrees F within minutes. Exposure to such high temperatures can kill in minutes.

  • Produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition: American Red Cross,FEMA, IAEM, IBHS, NFPA, NWS, USDA/CSREES, and USGS.From: Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages. Produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington, D.C., 1999.

    
    

Protecting your Pet During Extreme Heat

Extreme heat can be deadly for your pet. Cats and dogs do not have the ability to sweat; they cool their bodies off by panting and through the pads of their feet, so when the weather is extremely hot it is much harder for your pet to cool off. Here are some tips for keeping your pet safe this summer:

• Never leave your pet in a parked car, unventilated garage or other enclosed areas for any length of time. A car can reach 120 degrees in just minutes; even if the windows are slightly open the car can still reach 102 degrees. A dog’s normal temperature is 101.5 degrees; at 120 degrees your pet can suffer from heat exhaustion and die and at 107 degrees brain damage occurs.

If heatstroke occurs:

•Immerse the dog in cold water if possible

1. •Place ice packs on its head or neck
2. •Treat the dog promptly and take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible

• Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening hours, instead of during the middle of the day when it’s the hottest.

• Outside pets need a shady retreat to escape hot asphalt. Your pet needs shelter to stay cool outside, and remember that older pets will be more likely to overheat in hot weather.

  
  

• Keep fresh cool water available for your pet at all times. Make sure the water is in a tip-proof-bowl and will be big enough to hold water for the duration of time you will be gone.

  
  

• Keep your pet well-groomed, but resist shaving all of its fur because it’s coat will prevent sunburn.

Emergency Response Handbook (2020)

Download the Emergency Supply Kit Checklist (pdf)

Every household should pack a Go Bag — a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation. A Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels. A Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year.

•Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.)

• •Extra set of car and house keys

• •Credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations. We recommend you keep at least $50-$100 on hand.

• •Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars

• •Flashlight

• •Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries

• Keep a list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages. Medication information and other essential personal items. If you store extra medication in your Go Bag, be sure to refill it before it expires.

• •First-aid kit

• •Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map

• •Child care supplies or other special care items

Download Food and Water Storage (pdf)

Everyone Lives in a Flood Zone!

It’s true. Everyone does live in flood zone—it’s just a question of whether you live in a low, moderate, or high risk area.

One-third of all flood insurance claims are from areas with minimal flood risks. Given enough rainfall, anywhere can flood. Most homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding, which is why purchasing flood insurance is so important.

Bulloch County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which in turn, allows all residents in the unincorporated area of the county to purchase flood insurance. You do not have to be listed on the FEMA flood maps in a “flood zone” to purchase flood insurance.

Below are the facts on flooding and flood insurance.

• Floods and flash floods happen in all 50 states.

•  

• Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.

• If you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or high-risk area and have a Federally backed mortgage, your mortgage lender requires you to have flood insurance.

• Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property.

   

• Flash floods often bring walls of water 10 to 20 feet high.

• A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of floodwater.

• Hurricanes, winter storms and snowmelt are common (but often overlooked) causes of flooding.

   

• New land development can increase flood risk, especially if the construction changes natural runoff paths.

   

• Federal disaster assistance is usually a loan that must be paid back with interest. For a $50,000 loan at 4% interest, your monthly payment would be around $240 a month ($2,880 a year) for 30 years. Compare that to a $100,000 flood insurance premium, which is about $400 a year ($33 a month).

• If you live in a low-to-moderate risk area and are eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy, your flood insurance premium may be as low as $119 a year, including coverage for your property’s contents.

   

• You are eligible to purchase flood insurance as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Bulloch County does participate!

• It takes 30 days after purchase for a policy to take effect, so it’s important to buy insurance before the floodwaters start to rise.

   

• Your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, compared to a 9% chance of fire.

   

• Last year, one-third of all claims paid by the NFIP were for policies in low-risk communities.

   

• The average annual U.S. flood losses in the past 10 years (1994-2004) were more than $2.4 billion.

   

• When your community participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), you can qualify for an insurance premium discount of up to 45%. Read more about CRS Ratings.

• The NFIP awarded over $16 billion in flood claims in 2005.

• Since 1978, the NFIP has paid $31.4 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs (as of 3/31/06).

   

• Over 5 million people currently hold flood insurance policies in more than 20,200 communities across the U.S.

   

For more policy and claim statistics, visit the National Flood Insurance Program – or contact the Bulloch County Development Division (912) 489-1356 for more information.

Bulloch County plans for severe weather during outdoor recreational activities.

The Bulloch County Recreation Department has purchased lightning and storm detectors that will alert participants and spectators of approaching dangerous weather during outdoor recreational activities. You can view the status of the Mill Creek Park lightning detector, ThorGuard, by visiting this link.

The lightning/storm detectors will indicate that a storm is approaching with indicator lights and by sounding an audible alarm.

During outdoor activities such as baseball, it is sometimes difficult to gauge a storm’s distance by sight and sound only. Lightning may look and sound far away, but it can cross great distances without warning. With this detection equipment, lightning can be detected as far as 40 miles away and monitored as it approaches.

Procedures that outline what actions will be taken, based on the storm’s distance, have been developed. Whenever a storm is indicated from 3 to 8 miles out, all activities will cease and safety measures are taken to protect participants, spectators, game officials, and staff.

Bulloch County is proud to be a “StormReady Community” and this effort is one more step in the progressive severe weather readiness program that earned our community this prestigious designation.

AGRICULTURAL WEATHER CENTER

CURRENT WEATHER – Georgia State Weather Information, including hourly reports, state forecast, zone forecast, short term forecast, public information, aviation projects, & weather summary.

HURRICANES – National Hurricane Center Tropical prediction Center forecasts, warnings, & analyses.

RADAR – National, Regional, & Local Radar.

WATCHES – Current Watches issued by the Storm Prediction Center

AMERICAN RED CROSS – Emergency preparedness & safety tips

GEORGIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY – GEMA News Headlines, Public Services, Events Calendar, Training, & Disaster Resources

GEORGIA DISASTER CENTER – Disaster news, family disaster planning, animals in disaster, & historical weather data

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY – National Programs for Disaster Preparedness, National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA for Kids, & Project Impact

Ready.gov  – Prepare, Plan and Stay Informed

Buildingsguide.com – An Emergency Preparedness Guide

U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) – Chemical accident prevention programs, emergency planning & community right-to-know laws, & federal laws and regulations

GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION (EPD) – Georgia rules & laws, public notices, EPD offices, & enforcement orders

GEORGIA HOMELAND SECURITY – News Releases, About Homeland Security, Preparedness, Frequently Asked Questions, Online Resources

CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL – CDC is the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health. For more than 70 years, we’ve put science into action to help children stay healthy so they can grow and learn; to help families, businesses, and communities fight disease and stay strong; and to protect the public’s health.

The Federal Government’s DRUG PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO BIOTERRORISM

Aviation Weather Center
Aviation warnings and forecasts of hazardous flight conditions at all levels within domestic and international air space.

Climate Prediction Center
Monitors and forecasts short-term climate fluctuations and provides information on the effects climate patterns can have on the nation.

Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
Nationwide analysis and forecast guidance products out through seven days.

National Climatic Data Center
Manages the Nation’s resource of global climatological in-situ and remotely sensed data and information to promote global environmental stewardship; to describe, monitor and assess the climate; and to support efforts to predict changes in the Earth’s environment. Provides certified weather data.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

National Hurricane Center / Tropical Prediction Center
Includes the National Hurricane Center and provides forecasts of the movement and strength of tropical weather systems and issues watches and warnings for the U.S. and surrounding areas.

National Weather Service
Weather, water and climate forecasts and information for the United States and its territories.

NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards
Immediate and reliable broadcasts of official weather and non-weather related alerts and information from local National Weather Service Forecast Offices to the public.

Ocean Prediction Center
Weather warnings and forecasts out to five days for the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans north of 30 degrees North.

Space Environment Center
Space weather alerts and warnings for disturbances that can affect people and equipment working in space and on earth.

Storm Prediction Center
Tornado and severe thunderstorm watches for the contiguous United States along with a suite of hazardous weather forecasts. Technical discussions on the cause and impact of hazardous winter weather, excessive precipitation, and non-severe thunderstorms.

Staff responsible for incoming mail should maintain an awareness of the possibility of anthrax threat letters. 

This checklist outlines common features of anthrax threat letters.

• •No return address

• •Excessive postage

• •Hand written or poorly typed addresses

• •Misspelling of common words

• •Restrictive markings such as “Confidential”, “Personal”, etc.

• •Excessive weight and/or a feel of a powdery substance

  
  

If you receive a letter or note threatening anthrax contamination:

What you should do?

• If it is a letter that you have opened, set it down gently at the location where you first read it. Then move to an area that will minimize your exposure to others. Avoid contact with others when possible, and remain in the area. Public Safety and Health responders will come to you.

  
  

• If it is a note that you happen to find, LEAVE IT ALONE.

• Advise a coworker in the immediate area what has happened and ask them to call 911.

  
  

• If possible, have the buildings ventilation system shut down and turn off any fans in the area.

  
  

• Do not allow others into the area. If anyone enters, they should stay until instructed to leave by Public Safety or Health responder.

  
  

• Remain calm. Exposure does not mean that you will become sick. Public Health responders will provide specific information and instructions about the symptoms and effective treatment to prevent illness.

  
  

What you should not do?

• Do not pass the letter or note to others to look at.

• Do not disturb any contents in the letter or note. Handling the letter may only spread the substance inside and increase the chances of it getting into the air.

  
  

• Do not ignore the threat. It must be treated as real until properly evaluated.

More than 6,000 people drown in the United States each year. More than half of drowning victims were using alcohol or drugs. Use the following rules when swimming:

• •Learn to swim.

• •Never swim alone.

• •Wear a personal flotation device.

• •Don’t push or jump on others.

• •Swim in designated areas.

• •Don’t pretend to be drowning.

• •Never dive in any lake or river. Tree stumps, rocks and floating logs can cause serious injury or death.

• •Don’t use inflatable toys, rafts or inner tubes as lifesavers. If they are punctured or a swimmer falls off, the swimmer could be in danger of drowning.

• •Swim near shore and away from boating channels. In heavy waves, it is almost impossible for a boater to spot a swimmer. A swimmer must be seen to be avoided.

• •If in a boat that turns over, stay with the boat; wait for help. •Don’t try to swim to shore.

• •If someone else falls out of the boat, try to reach the person with a pole, branch and/or paddle.

Most tornado damage is caused by violent winds. Many injuries and deaths result from flying debris. When a tornado threatens, your immediate action can save your life.

Tornado Safety Rules

Tornado Watch: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms with the potential of tornadoes.

Tornado Warning: Tornado has been sighted or detected on radar. TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

Here’s how you and your family can be prepared:

1. Locate the safest room in your home for your family to seek shelter during tornado warnings. Rule of thumb…put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. A small, windowless room or closet on the lowest level is recommended.

   
   

2. Purchase a NOAA Weather Alert Radio so that you can be alerted to severe weather warnings night or day.

3. When building a new home, consider adding a protected safe room that will withstand wind speeds up to 250 mph. Or, consider retrofitting your existing home with a protected safe room. Plans for either of these options can be obtained from the Emergency Management Office.

   
   

4. Keep enough food and water in your home to last your family for up to three days. Rule of thumb…store at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for a three- day period. And remember your pets. Also remember to replace your food and water every six months.

   
   

5. Have a battery operated radio and flashlights with extra batteries on hand at all times.

   
   

6. Teach your children how and when to call 9-1-1.

7. Pick two meeting places for your family. A spot right outside your home for an emergency, such as a fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.

8. Learn disaster safety rules.

   
   

9. Practice your plan. Participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules. Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Test and recharge your fire extinguishers according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Tornado Safety Tips

Most tornado damage is caused by violent winds. Many injuries and deaths result from flying debris. When a tornado threatens, your immediate action can save your life.

Stay Away from Windows, Doors and Outside Walls. Protect Your Head

• In homes and small buildings, go to the basement or to an interior part on the lowest level – closets, bathrooms or interior halls. Get under something sturdy. Do not leave the building until the storm has passed.

  
  

• In schools, nursing homes, hospitals, factories, and shopping centers, go to pre-designated shelter areas. interior hallways on the lowest floor are usually best. Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums, or other structures with wide, freespan roofs.

• In high-rise buildings, go to interior small rooms or hallways.

• In vehicles or mobile homes, leave them and go to a substantial structure. if there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in the nearest ditch, ravine, or culvert with your hands shielding your head. In open country, lie flat in the nearest ditch or ravine with your hands shielding your head

  
  

Bulloch County Emergency Management Agency has distributed over numerous NOAA Weather Alert Radios to public facilities throughout the County including, but not limited to, schools, nursing homes, day care centers, churches, and government offices. This service was provided by a FEMA grant so that our citizens can be assured of receiving alerts when in public places.

All citizens are urged to purchase a NOAA Weather Alert Radio to assure that you will be alerted to any severe weather watches or warnings in time to take the appropriate actions. When a tornado is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions. Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.

Before a Tornado

• Conduct tornado drills each tornado season.

• Designate an area in the home as a shelter and practice having everyone in the family go there in response to a tornado threat. (A basement offers the best protection, but lacking that, choose a small room in the centermost part of your home on the lowest floor, such as a closet or bathroom.)

  
  

• Obtain plans from your local Emergency Management Agency on how to construct a “safe room” within an existing home or in a new home. These rooms will withstand 250 mph winds and cost between $2,500 and $6,000 depending on the type and size you choose. There are special plans for mobile home communities. Discuss with family members the difference between a “tornado watch” and a “tornado warning.”

• Have disaster supplies on hand:

  
  

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes
• 
  

• Develop an emergency communication plan: In case family members are separated from one another during a tornado (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

  
  

• Tornado Watches and Warnings: A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms. This is time to remind family members where the safest places within your home are located and listen to the radio or television for further developments. A tornado warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. 

  
  

  Mobile Homes are particularly vulnerable. A mobile home can overturn very easily even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter in a building with a strong foundation. If shelter is not available, lie in ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from the unit.

• Learn these tornado danger signs:

  
  

• An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.
• Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
• Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
• 
  

During a Tornado

If at home:

• Go at once to a windowless, interior room; storm cellar; basement; or lowest level of the building.

• •If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows, e.g., a bathroom or closet.

• •Get away from the windows.

• •Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris.

• •Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

• •Use arms to protect head and neck.

• •If in a mobile home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.

  
  

If at work or school:

• •Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.

• •Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.

• •Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold on to it.

• •Use arms to protect head and neck.

If outdoors:

• •If possible, get inside a building.

• •If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

• •Use arms to protect head and neck.

If in a car:

• •Never try to outdrive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.

• •Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.

• •If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

After a Tornado

• •Help injured or trapped persons.

• •Give first aid when appropriate.

• •Don’t try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

• •Call for help.

• •Turn on radio or television to get the latest emergency information.

• •Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

• •Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

• •Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.

• •Take pictures of the damage–both to the house and its contents–for insurance purposes.

• •Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance–infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Inspecting Utilities in a Damaged Home

•Check for gas leaks–If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. •Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional. •Look for electrical system damage–If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

•Check for sewage and water lines damage–If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

Fujita – Pearson Tornado Scale

• F-0: 40-72 mph – chimney damage, tree branches broken

• F-1: 73-112 mph – mobile homes pushed off foundation or overturned

• F-2: 113-157 mph – considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees uprooted

• F-3: 158-205 mph – roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrown

• F-4: 207-260 mph – well-constructed walls leveled

• F-5: 261-318 mph – homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable distances, autos thrown as far as 100 meters