ATLANTA — A statewide tornado drill will be held this week as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week to encourage Georgians to prepare now for any type of severe weather.
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency's (GEMA/HS) PrepareAthon! tornado drill will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 9 a.m.
The drill is to encourage Georgia residents to put their tornado safety skills into practice before severe weather strikes.
“Springtime in our great state can bring about a range of weather risks from thunderstorms, including tornadoes, strong winds, lightning, large hail and flooding,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “I urge all residents to actively participate in Severe Weather Preparedness Week this year, as it offers valuable knowledge on protecting your homes and loved ones from potential disasters.”
The agency is offering tips to practice safety protocols by following the following steps.
Before a drill
- Make a Ready kit for at least three days of self-sufficiency.
- Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a tornado hazard.
- A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.
- A tornado warning means either a tornado is occurring or expected to develop shortly in your area, and you need to take shelter immediately.
- Determine in advance where you will take shelter during the tornado drill.
- Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
- If underground shelter is not available, an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible in the best option.
- In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
During a drill
- Announce the start of the tornado drill and inform participants that they should act as though a tornado warning has been issued.
- Evacuate participants, just as you would if you were taking shelter during a tornado warning. Use stairs to reach the lowest level of a building; avoid using elevators.
- Once participants reach the designated safe area, they should crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down and covering their heads with their hands.
- Once everyone has evacuated and taken cover, announce that the drill is over.
After a drill
- Review the drill to identify any necessary changes or improvements to your tornado safety procedures. For example:
- Do more safe areas need to be identified?
- Do the designated safe areas need to have clutter removed or need to be cleaned out to be more accessible?
- Does everyone know the fastest routes to take shelter in the safe areas?
- Is there a better method for letting everyone know of an approaching tornado?
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