How prepared are you for severe weather? A new report from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency says we've got some work to do.
Severe weather often doesn't announce itself. And like an unannounced houseguest, you want to know what to do when the storms come knocking at your door. GEMA says first things first: You should get yourself a survival kit.
Recent storms have shown Georgians just how quickly bad weather can turn into an emergency situation, but being prepared can make all the difference. GEMA's Lisa Janak says a recent survey shows that 70 percent of Georgians still don't have a weather radio. She says it is as important as a smoke detector.
"What this will do is it will alert you to severe weather, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service," Janak explained. "It will wake you up in the middle of the night and give you the critical moments you need to take cover."
She says to make sure your weather radio has a back-up battery and uses SAME technology, allowing you to only get alerts for your county.
Janak says the next essential item on your list is a survival kit. According to GEMA's survey, the top items Georgians have in their ready kits are can openers and flash lights, but Janak says you shouldn't forget about food. You can purchase ready-to-eat food packages. That will get you through a storm if you don't have electricity.
The amount of water you need in your survival kit requires some calculation. Janek recommends you have at least one gallon of water per person for at least three days.
Other essentials include any medicines you might need for you and your pet, a whistle to help rescuers find you, and a map of the area around your house in case you should be forced to evacuate. Janak says it's also important to keep copies of your insurance information.
"If you've lost everything, chances are you can't remember who your insurance carrier is," she explained. "But if you have that information in your ready kit, printed out with you, you won't have to remember it or search for it. You'll have it right there."
It's important for all of these items to be together in one location, preferably in a place designated as a safe spot in your home. Janek says many people already have many of these items at home, and just need to gather them in one spot in case they need them.
There are a multitude of apps provided by GEMA to help you get and stay prepared, including an online worksheet that calculates just how much food and water you will need for your specific family.
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