Posted in emergency management, tagged test, tornado siren on April 17, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
The Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren system will be tested and tuned up on Friday, April 17th. In order to do that, we have to turn them on one at a time. Between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. you may hear the siren nearest to you spin up, growl and then turn off. It won’t growl for long.
The testing and maintenance will be postponed if the weather becomes inclement.
If you are looking for additional details on the system, check out the siren information page on the City’s website.
Posted in emergency management on April 12, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
We want to make sure you don’t miss this important severe weather update from the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency:
This evening and into Monday there will be a Tornado and Severe Wind Threat for much of the Southeast US, including all of North and Central Georgia. Severe thunderstorm outbreaks are likely. This is likely to be a multiple round event, persisting Sunday night and into Monday morning. The main impacts include:
Showers and thunderstorms will start to overspread Georgia later in the morning on Easter Sunday as a strong storm system traverses the southeastern U.S. This initial wave (morning & afternoon) is not expected to pose a severe weather threat. The much more significant weather will likely hold off until the evening before moving into Georgia. The atmosphere will be primed for a severe weather outbreak across the Southeast on Sunday.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) continues to have much of Georgia in an Enhanced Risk (3 out of 5 on their scale) for severe weather for Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. SPC also continues to advertise a rare Moderate Risk for severe weather over much of Mississippi and Alabama on Sunday.
THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THIS TO BE ONE OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAKS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST OVER THE PAST DECADE.
Any strong to severe thunderstorms that move through Georgia on Sunday PM/Monday AM have the potential to produce damaging thunderstorm winds, large hail, and strong, potentially long-track tornadoes. With potentially 2-3 inches of rainfall over North Georgia on Sunday, flash flooding will also remain a possibility. The Weather Prediction Center continues to advertise a Moderate Risk (3 out of 4 on their scale) for excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding over far North Georgia on Sunday.
The main cold front will move through Georgia later in the morning on Monday, ending the threat for severe thunderstorms. The front will stall along the Southeast coast on Monday, keeping a chance for showers and thunderstorms in South Georgia through Tuesday and Wednesday. Otherwise, dry and cool weather will dominate over Georgia for all of this upcoming week and weekend.
Here are ways you can get prepared now:
Posted in Community, emergency management on April 3, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
Yesterday, Governor Kemp signed a statewide shelter-in-place order. The order goes into effect at 6 p.m. today, Friday, April 3, 2020, and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2020. This preempts previously issued orders by cities and counties.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is authorized to issue guidance to any business, corporation, organization, or industry trade group regarding its status as Critical Infrastructure.
The full order and a shelter-in-place handout can be found on our website at decaturga.com/covid19.
Contacts:
The Office of the Governor, Brian Kemp Constituent Services: 404-656-1776
Georgia Department of Economic Development: 404-962-4000 For Hearing Impaired: 800-255-0056
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged covid19, emergency management, stay at home order on April 1, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
Effective immediately, lawn maintenance services will be categorized as an Essential Business for the purpose of the current ‘Stay at Home’ order if they meet the following conditions:
For a full list of essential businesses, visit decaturga.com/covid19. All businesses that remain open need to allow employees to travel to and from work safely, practice a six foot separation during work and have adequate access to hand-washing and personal protective equipment as necessary.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged monthly test, tonrado siren on March 31, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
The April test of the Tornado Outdoor Warning Siren System will happen tomorrow, April 1st at 5 p.m. The test should last approximately one minute. Should the weather become inclement, the test will be postponed until Thursday, April 2nd.
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.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged #DecaturGA, city of decatur ga, community engagement, Decatur, Decatur GA, enagaing decatur, Happening in Decatur, local government on March 30, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
Now is a good time to register and/or update your profile. Decatur implemented the national safety database Smart911 to improve 911 services for residents and business owners. Smart911 allows residents to create a safety profile of vital personal and household data, including household members, photos, medications or medical conditions and even pets, which will be displayed to 911 call takers immediately when a resident places an emergency call.
Currently, Smart911 Profile and Alert registrants will be asked two additional questions regarding their quarantine and health status. This information will be presented to 9-1-1 call-takers with an inbound call and public health/emergency management officials will be able to actively query and notify individuals in their community who are at risk or under quarantine.
Smart911 is a free service available to all residents and business owners and is private and secure. Safety profiles can be created through the Smart911 website.
Posted in Community, emergency management on March 27, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett issued an emergency order on March 27, 2020 that extends the grace period for paying the first installment of Decatur 2020 property taxes to July 15, 2020. Tax bills will be mailed the week of March 30 and due June 1, 2020. With the extended grace period, no penalties and interest will be applied if the principal is paid by July 15, 2020.
Mayor Garrett stated, “We know families and businesses are struggling financially while also being concerned about their health and the health of their loved ones. This extension will provide property owners some extra time to make this payment.”
The City is assessing the consequence of the public health emergency on its finances and will be developing a budget that reflects the anticipated impacts while continuing to maintain quality services including police and fire protection, emergency management, and sanitation services. Property taxes also support our local school system.
City staff are ready to assist residents and property owners, to answer questions and to help provide the community support needed to weather this crisis.
Posted in Community, emergency management on March 24, 2020 | 1 Comment »
Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett issued an Emergency Stay At Home Order in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. The Order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 25, 2020 and stays in effect for 14 days until 11:59 p.m. on April 7 unless extended further or rescinded.
Since March 16 the number of cases of COVID-19 officially reported in DeKalb County has increased exponentially and is expected to continue to do so if significant measures are not taken immediately, said Mayor Garrett. Multiple cities in Georgia, including the City of Atlanta, following the advice and recommendations of infectious disease and public health experts, have issued similar orders for residents to shelter in their homes and have banned gatherings.
The Order directs that individuals living within the City of Decatur may leave their residences only for essential activities, essential governmental functions, or to operate essential businesses. Additionally, when individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence.
The definition of essential businesses may be found in the Order and include businesses and activities related to health and safety including the delivery of those services and supplies to others such as food, medicine, and products essential to the operation of residences as one example. Examples of essential businesses include grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, auto supply and repair, and restaurants offering to-go orders only.
The intent of the Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible.
Mayor Garrett said, “I urge the community to work together as we help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and keep everyone safe during this time.”
For more information and to read the full Order, visit www.decaturga.com/covid19.
Posted in Community, emergency management on March 24, 2020 | 1 Comment »
Public Parks in the City of Decatur remain open. Adherence to the following guidelines is imperative to protect the safety and health of our community during this public health emergency:
Exercise provides much needed stress relief. Walking, running, skateboarding or cycling can be done while still maintaining a safe 6-feet of distance from others. Thank you for continuing to do your part in ensuring our community remains as safe as possible during this time.
Posted in Community, emergency management, tagged #DecaturGA, city of decatur ga, community engagement, Decatur, Decatur GA, enagaing decatur, Happening in Decatur, local government on March 19, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
On Thursday, March 19, City of Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett issued a Public Health Emergency Order that prohibits on-premises dining at restaurants; allows take-out and delivery services between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily; and allows restaurants with a current alcoholic beverage license to sell beverages for off-premises consumption in sealed containers; and prohibits gatherings of more than 50 persons.
Several City of Decatur restaurants have already voluntarily transitioned to a take-out and/or delivery model, closing their in-person dining facilities in order to reduce community transmission of the COVID-19 virus in response to CDC guidelines.
At the March 16, 2020 meeting, the City Commission passed a Resolution declaring a Public Health State of Emergency in the City of Decatur which grants the Mayor certain powers to protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City. In introducing the Resolution Mayor Patti Garrett noted that while there has been a State of Emergency declared at both the state and the national level, an emergency declaration by the City ensures that the city is able to work at the local level in a very quick and expedient manner if necessary.
Residents are encouraged to continue to support our local businesses, including taking advantage of pick-up and delivery services.
Visit the City’s website to view the Order.
