LOWNDES CO – Lowndes County Emergency Management encourages residents to act during National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Release:

Hurricane season is around the corner, so Lowndes County is encouraging all residents to start planning and preparing. Lowndes County Emergency Management along with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are promoting National Hurricane Preparedness Week from May 5-11, 2024.

“As we move into the 2024 hurricane season, it’s essential for everyone in Lowndes County to remain alert and prepared,” said Ashley Tye, Director of Lowndes County Emergency Management. “While experts anticipate another active season with a higher number of storms, predicting their exact paths remains challenging. This means that each one of us needs to stay informed, have a plan in place, and be ready to act swiftly if our community is affected again, as we experienced with Hurricane Idalia last year. By staying prepared and working together, we can better protect ourselves, our families, and our community from the potential impacts of these unpredictable storms.”

Each day of Hurricane Preparedness Week will provide information and activities that will prepare Lowndes County residents ahead of inclement weather. The agenda for the week is as follows:

• Sunday, May 5: Know Your Risk: Wind & Water – Find out what types of wind and water hazards could happen where you live. Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Impacts from wind and water can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur regardless of the storm’s strength.
• Monday, May 6: Prepare Before Hurricane Season – Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
• Tuesday, May 7: Understand Forecast Information – Prepare for hurricane season by knowing how to understand forecasts. They can tell you a lot about what is expected, including the storm’s paths, rainfall amounts, wind speeds, and more.
• Wednesday, May 8: Get Moving When a Storm Threatens – Do you know what to do when a storm threatens? Prepare for hurricane season by taking the time now to understand the actions needed when time is of the essence.
• Thursday, May 9: Stay Protected During Storms – Be prepared for hurricane season by knowing what to do during a storm. Whether you’ve evacuated or are sheltering in place, know what to expect from the hazards you may face. Remain vigilant, stay up-to-date with the latest forecasts and alerts, and continue to listen to local officials.
• Friday, May 10: Use Caution After Storms – A key part of hurricane preparedness is understanding the dangers that remain well after a storm. This is NOT the time to put your guard down. Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm.
• Saturday, May 11: Take Action Today – Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm.