Georgia is holding Severe Weather Awareness Week February 1 - 5, 2010

"After a year of natural disasters that caused millions of dollars of damage to Georgia in 2009, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), its Ready Georgia campaign, the National Weather Service (NWS) and local emergency management agencies are supporting Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state, Feb. 1-5. Severe Weather Awareness Week is a time when Georgians should practice emergency preparedness and response procedures for all types of severe weather events that could occur." <press release>

It is interesting to see what other areas are doing to educate residents about how to be prepared for natural disasters. The state of Georgia faces severe weather challenges, they have even had to schedule a back-up day for their Tornado Drill in case of severe weather! Today's events include a radio campaign to get residents to obtain a weather radio (I found the Midland model they promote on Amazon for $30) that can be tuned to reports for their county.

I'm disappointed they did not encourage the use of Internet-based emergency reports. The use of iPhones and PDAs makes this communication method more generally available now and to be encouraged over expecting people to purchase single-purpose radios, but perhaps I'm too new-fashioned.



Severe Weather Awareness Week is designed to provide information about the types of severe weather that affect Georgia, and what to do in the event that severe weather occurs.

Topics to be covered include: 

• Monday - NOAA Weather Radio
• Tuesday - Thunderstorm Safety
• Wednesday - Tornado Safety (Tornado Drill)
• Thursday - Lightning Safety
• Friday - Flooding
  
  Additional Topics include:

• Family Preparedness
• Volunteers/Spotters
• What to do after The Storm