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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2024
Clayton County EMA Educates Community During
Severe Weather Preparedness Week
(Clayton County, GA) – Clayton County Office of Emergency Management (EMA) will be educating the community on the importance of Severe Weather Preparedness along with Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and the National Weather Service (NWS) the week of Feb. 5-9, 2024. This state-wide week encourages Georgia residents to learn and understand about the threats and possible dangers associated with severe weather.
“Recent months have shown us our weather remains unstable and unpredictable,” said EMA Director and Chief Resilience Officer David Vazquez. “Therefore, by having the necessary knowledge to prepare for severe weather when it’s predicted, our residents will be well informed and educated to help prevent loss of life and significant property damage.”
As part of educating Clayton County residents during Severe Weather Preparedness Week, EMA will distribute severe weather preparedness information all week long. Also, two county residents will receive a weather radio by submitting a 50-word essay on the importance of Emergency Preparedness to Clayton County’s EMA Training Officer, Shelita Broomfield, shelita.broomfield@claytoncountyga.gov.
On Wed., Feb. 7, 2024 Clayton County EMA will perform a tornado drill at the Lake Spivey Recreation Center in conjunction with a Test Warning Message by the National Weather Service. Weather permitting, the National Weather Service’s message will go out as a Routine Weekly Test (RWT) at 9:30 a.m. The message is designed to help trigger statewide schools, businesses, and other groups to practice their severe weather/tornado safety actions and procedures.
The following topics will be addressed throughout Severe Weather Preparedness Week:
Mon., Feb. 5 – 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.
Tues., Feb. 6 – Thunderstorm Safety: Learn the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a thunderstorm warning.
Wed., Feb. 7 – Tornado Safety (NWR Drill at 9 a.m.): Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.
Thurs., Feb. 8 – 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.
Fri., Feb. 9 – Flood Safety: Copy important documents, seal them in a watertight container, and add them to your Ready kit.
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