Preparedness is key to surviving weather, say experts

By JOY SIMPSON
Special to The Citizen

Tornado season is here and Fayette County has been working to be prepared for the severe weather season.

Fayette is at about the mid-point of its spring/summer severe weather period, said Capt. Pete Nelms, emergency management coordinator for the county's emergency agencies.

The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services' first step in preparation for tornado season took place Feb. 25, when it participated in a state-wide tornado drill during Severe Weather Awareness week. The drill helped to prepare people for tornado season by restating safety steps to take in a severe weather situation and policies in place to assist in those situations.

Local schools practiced the plans they have in place in case of severe weather, Nelms said.

The county concentrates on three keys to minimizing the danger from tornadoes or severe thunderstorms with high winds, said Nelms: weather radios, development of a warning system and public education.

“There's no perfect system, but these three things can really save a lot of lives,” he said.

A weather radio will receive weather watches and warnings transmitted from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, he said, adding that it is important to have a battery-powered radio in case the power goes out.

Purchase of an early weather warning system is one of the biggest steps Fayette County is taking in tornado awareness, said Nelms. The county received a hazard mitigation grant through the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, enabling the purchase.

The three warning sirens ordered will be omni-directional devices, meaning that the sound they make will be heard in all directions, and will cover up to a mile and a half radius.

County officials hope to have the devices installed by summer, said Nelms.

“This is an excellent system,” said Nelms. Not only do the devices alert residents by blasting a warning siren, but also voice messages will be broadcast telling the nature of the emergency and, in some cases, giving specific instructions. “It's not just a horn that makes a noise,” he said.

These first three will be installed near manufactured housing communities, those most susceptible to tornado damage. The county has about 1,980 manufactured homes, housing about 6,000 people, said Nelms. “This is the most vulnerable part of our population,” he said.

This new warning system will cover 75 percent of manufactured housing in Fayette County. The warning system will be activated through the county's 911 center.

Officials hope to add more devices as money becomes available.

“This early weather warning system is only one part of keeping citizens warned,” said Nelms. “There are many steps in being prepared for any severe weather situation. It is important to listen to the weather forecast daily so that you will not be caught off guard by the weather. It is also important to know the difference between a tornado watch and warning.”

A tornado watch, he said, means that the conditions are right for a possible tornado.

A warning means that a tornado has been spotted in the area and you should immediately take cover.

Everyone should have a plan of action for when a tornado warning is issued, and everyone should know where to assemble, Nelms said. It is also important to have a disaster action kit available with a flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, portable radio, bottled water and other emergency items, he said.

He suggested also keeping in mind the following advice from the American Red Cross:

The best place to take cover inside of a home is in a basement. If your home does not have a basement, go to an interior room on the lowest level with no windows, preferably a bathroom or closet. Stay away from corners, and if you are in a room get under a sturdy piece of furniture and cover yourself with a blanket or pillows to protect yourself from debris.

Keep windows shut, and if possible get into a building away from windows.

If you live in a manufactured home, get out and find shelter elsewhere. If you are outside and there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or a low-lying area or near a strong building. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

Also avoid areas with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways or shopping malls.

“If I could get across one message,” said Nelms, “it's to stay informed.