The Atlantic hurricane season runs until Nov. 30, and Georgians should prepare in case one hits, according to David Stooksbury, the state’s climatologist and an associate professor in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The best way to stay informed of threatening weather is to have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio, he said. A NOAA weather radio sounds an alarm and broadcasts up-to-date details about tornadoes, thunderstorms, flash floods and tropical weather. A radio with the Specific Area Message Encoding, or SAME, technology can be programmed for particular counties. These radios should be available at most electronic stores and even some grocery stores.
All Georgians should prepare for stormy weather by assembling an all-hazards kit, Stooksbury also said. Prepare a kit with supplies that will allow you and your family to survive for three to seven days without electricity and clean running water. The most critical supply is at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day for at least three days. More water is needed for cooking and hygiene.
Besides water, an all-hazards kit should include nonperishable foods, a hand-held
can opener, first-aid kit, important papers, battery-powered radio, NOAA weather radio, flashlight and extra batteries. A detailed list of recommended contents for an all-hazards kit is available at www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html.
