Cobb County has had its share of severe weather over the past six months, most notably from the damaging floods of September 7-8 of 2021.

This year the State of Georgia recognizes Severe Weather Preparedness Week starting tomorrow Monday, February 7 and lasting through Friday, February 11.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency issued a press release explaining the reasons for setting aside a week to address the topic.

“Georgia has seen severe weather happen at any time of the year,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings for the press release. “We always want our citizens to be well prepared before any type of weather event strikes, so they have ample time to review or change their plan of action if needed.”

The National Weather Service also has a web page about the week, with links to specific resources on themes of Family Preparedness, Thunderstorm Safety, Tornado Safety, Lightning Safety, and Flash Flooding/Flood Safety.

The NWS site gives this overview:

As we approach what is typically the most active part of the year for severe weather, Severe Weather Preparedness Week provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about the dangers of severe weather, as well as knowing how and when to take proper actions when severe weather is expected and hits.  Please take the time now to review your home, school, or businesses preparedness plans. Each day is dedicated to a different topic that addresses severe weather preparedness. Throughout the week, the topics to be covered include:

• Monday – Family Preparedness (NWR + Wireless Emergency Alerts)    
• Tuesday – Thunderstorm Safety (Hail & Damaging Wind Threats/Impacts)   
• Wednesday – Tornado Safety  **NWR TEST Warning Message – 9 AM**
• Thursday – Lightning Safety
• Friday – Flash Flooding/Flood Safety 

Here is the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency press release, reprinted in its entirety below:

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in partnership with the National Weather Service, encourages Georgians to learn and understand the threats of severe weather as well as prepare for various weather events during Severe Weather Preparedness Week on Feb. 7-11.

“Georgia has seen severe weather happen at any time of the year,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “We always want our citizens to be well prepared before any type of weather event strikes, so they have ample time to review or change their plan of action if needed.”

Spring is traditionally a period where the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and lightning from severe thunderstorms greatly increases. Severe Weather Preparedness Week serves as a reminder to review emergency procedures and prepare for weather-related hazards.

• Monday, Feb. 7 – 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. 8 – Thunderstorm Safety: Learn the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a thunderstorm warning.
• Wednesday, Feb. 9 – Tornado Safety (Drill at 9 a.m.): Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.
• Thursday, Feb. 10 – Lightning Safety: Learn the 30/30 rule. If after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder, go indoors. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
• Friday, Feb. 11 – Flood Safety: Copy important documents, seal them in a watertight container and add them to your Ready kit.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week isn’t just for individuals and their families. GEMA/HS highly encourages schools, businesses and other organizations to use this as an opportunity to evaluate their preparedness for a severe weather event.

Local emergency management agencies are also a great resource for information or tips to help families, schools and organizations stay prepared.

For more resources on how you can prepare your home, school or business for severe weather emergencies and other disasters, visit gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia and follow @GeorgiaEMAHS on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for preparedness tips and emergency information.

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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. GEMA/HS’s “Ready Georgia” campaign helps Georgians prepare for disasters. Visit www.gema.ga.gov  for more information.