Georgia Marks Winter Weather Preparedness Week

As the coldest weather of the season so far arrives, Georgia is marking Winter Weather Preparedness Week this week.

With that, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is urging people to get ready for winter with its “Ready Georgia” campaign.

Catherine Howden is a spokesperson for the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

She said the most important thing people can do is to have a “ready” kit available for emergency situations.

“Things you can include in those are a three-day, non-perishable supply of food, water, flashlights, extra batteries, NOAA weather radio, clothing and blankets to help keep you warm,” said Howden. “In your car, you additionally probably want to have coats, a change of shoes in case you are commuting to and from work and get stuck in a situation where you need to walk or are stuck out in the cold for any period of time, ice scraper, portable phone charger, and sand or kitty litter if you need it for traction.”

Howden said it is also important to create an emergency communications plan that can be used if necessary during a storm.

“Making sure that everybody has each other’s phone numbers,” said Howden. “One thing we have on the new ‘Ready Georgia’ mobile app is a tool that allows you to have an ‘I am safe’ notification sent to your emergency contacts that you have loaded into that app.”

Also, Howden said winterizing both homes and vehicles is important to prepare for winter weather.

“Making sure that you have at least half a tank of gas in your car is extremely important during the winter,” said Howden. “If it is going to be below freezing, make sure to leave pipes dripping so they do not burst.”

Another home winterizing tip includes placing weather stripping around doors and windows.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency said people should also have a battery-operated radio or NOAA weather radio to stay informed about winter weather and also have an alternate heat source with sufficient heating fuel, like a fireplace or wood burning stove, for if the power goes out.

For more information on winter weather preparedness, download the free Ready Georgia mobile app.