Archive for the ‘emergency management’ Category
June is National Safety Month
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged safety, smart911 on June 12, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
June Siren Test
Posted in Community, emergency management on June 3, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of June so we’ll be testing the tornado outdoor warning sirens at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 5 June 2014.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
National Hurricane Awareness Week
Posted in Community, emergency management on May 29, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Did you know that hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1st and ends November 30th? Or that the Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15th and also ends November 30th?
Lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 25th – May 31st. In honor of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we ask that all residents take time to build an emergency kit, make a family communication plan and create a Smart911 Safety Profile at www.smart911.com no matter if you have a place near the ocean’s shore or not. Take these steps now to reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.
Let’s celebrate EMS professionals!
Posted in emergency management, tagged smart911 on May 19, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
This week is National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in honor of the dedicated EMS professionals who serve our community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are so thankful to the emergency medical responders for their around-the-clock dedication to providing emergency care to our residents. They are critical to advancing the health, safety, and well-being of this community. You can help EMS professionals by entering your important information into a Smart911 Safety Profile at www.smart911.com. A Nashville resident’s life was saved thanks to the information he entered into his Smart911 Safety Profile and to the hardworking EMS professionals who arrived on the scene. Read more about the incident here: http://bit.ly/1hGYsQy.
National Pet Week
Posted in emergency management, tagged Pets, smart911 on May 7, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
National Pet Week® is May 4-10, 2014. Always the first full week in May, National Pet Week is dedicated to celebrating the more than 200 million pets that enrich our lives each and every day. National Pet Week was created in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Auxiliary to the AVMA to honor the many important roles pets have in our lives and to promote responsible pet ownership. Our community is full of pet lovers who would do anything to make sure they are safe. One way to do that is to create a Smart911 safety profile. Head on over to www.smart911.com to get started today.
Whether companion, comedian, confidant or protector, our pets are always there for us and don’t ask much in return. National Pet Week celebrates this bond and encourages pet owners to be certain they provide their best friend with all they need for a happy, healthy life every week of the year.
May Siren Test Tomorrow
Posted in Community, emergency management on May 6, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of May so we’ll be testing the tornado outdoor warning sirens at 5:00 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, 8 May 2014.
If you have questions or want more information about the siren system, check out the Siren page on the City’s website or contact Police Lt. Barry Woodward at 404-373-6551.
Power outages, more storms on the way
Posted in emergency management, tagged code red, flood, flood warning, flooding, GEMA, georgia power, power outage, severe weather, smart911, trees, trees down on April 29, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
There are trees down around the City of Decatur this morning, and some residents, businesses and schools are without power.
The current list of known downed trees and limbs in the City of Decatur, in no particular order:
- 198 Avery Street
- 453 S. Columbia
- 435 & 439 E Lake Drive
- 114 Olympic Place
- 928 3rd Avenue
- 116 Landsdowne
- 351 S. Mcdonough
- 928 3rd Avenue
- 923 S. Candler Street
- 919 S. Candler Street
- Oakview and Sring Street
- Mountainview & Sycamore Street
- 803 Ponce de Leon
- 116 Hurron
For the latest weather updates from the City Schools of Decatur, please visit the CSD website.
Please read through the severe weather tips posted yesterday if you have not done so already. It includes important phone numbers and information about registering for Code Red and Smart911.
GEMA’s One Minute Weather Outlook for Tuesday, April 29, 2014:
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Scattered showers to severe storms are expected to move east across Georgia this afternoon into tonight. The combination of moderate instability and strong wind shear could produce damaging winds and even the possibility of tornadoes. The strong and gusty winds from thunderstorms will have the potential to bring down trees that were weakened by the recent ice storms. Some severe storms may produce large hail and frequent cloud to ground lightning. Minor to significant river flooding will continue. A Flash Flood Watches is in effect for portions of far northeast and southwest Georgia through Wednesday evening.
Flood Warnings continue for the following rivers and creeks in Georgia:
Alapaha River at Statenville affecting Echols County
Altamaha River at Baxley affecting Appling, Tattnall, Toombs, and Wayne Counties
Altamaha River at Everett City affecting Glynn, McIntosh, and Wayne Counties
Ogeechee River near Eden
Satilla River at Atkinson affecting Brantley County
Savannah River near Clyo
Today:
Expect occasional showers and thunderstorms. Some storms may be severe. Highs will range from 70 to 90.
Tonight will have a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Expect occasional showers and thunderstorms after midnight with lows ranging from 58 to 71.
Wednesday will have occasional showers and thunderstorms with highs ranging from 68 to 88.
Thursday will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the south. Temperatures will range from lows between 50 and 68 to highs between 68 and 82.
Extended Weather Outlook:
Weather Links:
National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov
National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov
NWS Mobile: http://mobile.wrh.noaa.gov
Get Free Weather Alerts: http://inws.wrh.noaa.gov
Mobile GEMA One Minute Weather Outlook: http://gema.ga.gov/weather
GEMA’s One Minute Weather Outlook – Real Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed: http://www.gema.ga.gov/rss_generator.nsf/rss?openagent&uid=BA93D066C88B8164852574F0006626EA
Disclaimer: The information in this document is based on the latest forecast provided by the National Weather Service at the time this document was sent to the recipients. The National Weather Service will update their information and graphics as situations dictate. Please check with your local National Weather Service for the most current information for your area.
State Warning Point
Georgia Emergency Management Agency
Phone: 1-800-TRY-GEMA
Stay Weather Aware, Decatur
Posted in emergency management, tagged code red, Decatur, DEMA, flash flood, flood, National Weather Service, severe weather, tornado on April 28, 2014 | 1 Comment »
The latest weather update from DEMA / National Weather Service shows Decatur should be prepared for storms overnight and into the early morning. As of this posting, models are showing that the strongest part of the storm will most likely hit during the Tuesday morning rush hour. Everyone is urged to check the weather before getting on the road to go to work tomorrow morning.
As a reminder, turn your weather radio on and keep your phone close for Code Red/Weather Warn messages. Have a plan to take care of your family as well as your pets. Please don’t leave your pets outside during severe weather.
There is the possibility of tornados, hail and flash flooding in and around the City of Decatur. The community is urged to stay off the roads if possible once the heavy rain and thunderstorms start. Severe weather could continue in the area through Thursday.
Updates will be posted here as the weather situation develops.
Severe Weather Alert & Safety Tips
Posted in emergency management, tagged code red, Decatur, Decatur Police, emergency management, FEMA, flood, flooding, georgia power, rain, severe weather, smart911, tornado, tornado siren on April 28, 2014 | 1 Comment »
Severe weather is expected to arrive in Decatur between 6 and 8 p.m. tonight and will last through Thursday. Tornadoes, flooding, severe thunderstorms and lightning are all possible during this time.
Here are things to do NOW to prepare for the inclement weather:
- Make sure you have enough emergency food and water supplies to last for three days per person. If you have pets, make sure you have the necessary supplies to feed and care for them.
- Register your phones for the Code Red Weather Warnings. This system will alert you to the dangers of severe weather and any other emergencies that require quick notification.
- Create or update your Smart911 profile. Be sure to include any special medical concerns, especially if anyone in your household requires medical equipment that uses electricity.
- Review your family’s emergency plan, and remind everyone where the safest place to shelter in your house is.
- Charge all cell phones and put fresh batteries in emergency radios.
- Download the FEMA smartphone app for additional tips and emergency information.
Remember:
- Always remain calm.
- Power outages or trees on power lines should be reported directly to Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938.
- The police non-emergency number is 404-373-6551.
- Have a plan to check on any vulnerable neighbors (for example, seniors or those with medical conditions) during and after the storm.
- When contacting loved ones, a text message is more likely to get through in an emergency situation than a phone call.
Tornado sirens: What you need to know
Decatur has installed four outdoor sirens to warn the community when such a threat occurs. The sirens are located at Glennwood Academy, Winnona Park Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary and the City Schools Administration Building on Scott Boulevard.
What are Tornado Outdoor Warning Sirens?
They are alarms that will be sounded to alert citizens who are outdoors that a tornado may be imminent. They are not designed to be heard inside a home or other building.
Who decides to sound the sirens and when will I hear them?
Sirens will be sounded by personnel in Decatur’s Police Communications Center when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for the Decatur area or when a tornado is spotted by a member of public safety. The sirens will sound for three to five minutes.
What should I do when I hear the siren?
Take immediate cover. Go indoors to a safe room at ground level or below with as few windows as possible. Basements are usually the best option. If you are in a vehicle and see a tornado approaching, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building. If a building is not available, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter. Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries. Stay in a safe place until the weather improves.
How will my family be alerted indoors and at night?
Everyone must take personal responsibility to monitor radio and television weather reports when severe weather occurs. In a crisis, the Emergency Alert System instantly interrupts radio and TV broadcasts to provide emergency information. The National Weather Service (NWS) uses the system to alert the public to emergency weather information and dangerous conditions. EAS warnings are also transmitted on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. Since neither the sirens nor the media may alert you indoors at night, we recommend that households and businesses have a Weather Alert Radio, which sounds an alarm when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning. If you buy a radio, we strongly recommend you purchase one that is programmable with your local county code.
More information about tornado safety can be found at http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
April is National Financial Capability Month
Posted in Community, emergency management on April 17, 2014 | Leave a Comment »
Disasters not only affect community infrastructure and public works, but they often overcome family finances, making recovery difficult and sometimes impossible. But being ready for a disaster is more than storing water and supplies. You also need to be financially ready. Starting early and having a plan to pay your bills and access your important records and accounts help you get back on your feet faster and avoid problems with your credit when you need it most.
Safeguarding your finances and important records is easy if you start now. These steps can help you get started:
- Identify your important documents and place them in a safe space: You can use the Safeguarding Your Valuables activity and Emergency Financial First Aid Kit to help get you started.
- Download phone applications that can help during emergencies: Use the FEMA phone application to access to disaster preparedness, response and recovery resources including disaster assistance.
- Enroll in Go Direct to minimize disruptions to receiving any federal benefits you may receive.
- Plan ahead of time to recover: The USDA and its partners have created great resources to help get you started including Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit and the Disaster Recovery Log.
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