Georgia emergency officials urge residents to prepare as winter storm nears

After Gov. Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency, Josh Lamb, the director of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, provided tips for Georgians to prepare for the worst.

“By being ready for the storm, Georgians can do their part in minimizing risk, reducing the time it takes to recover and most importantly, prevent the loss of life,” Lamb said.

Here are some tips Lamb gave at the news conference.

• Prepare your family: People should make emergency communication plans to get in touch with family and neighbors if they get separated or the power goes out. People need to prepare enough non-perishable food, water and medications for at least three days. Also, ensure you have enough warm clothing, blankets, flashlights, batteries and an up-to-date first aid kit.
• Prepare your home: Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, cover outdoor pipes, seal doors and windows and clean your gutters. Do not bring portable generators inside because of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, but make sure you have some way to heat your home if the power goes out.
• Prepare your car: Make sure you have a full tank of gas and prepare an emergency car kit that includes a first aid kit, phone charger, jumper cables, blankets, water, snacks and an ice scraper.

“Once the storm hits, stay off the roads as much as possible. If travel is necessary, slow down and allow extra time and be especially careful on bridges and overpasses which freeze first,” Lamb said. “Not only does staying off the roads ensure resident safety, but it also gives Georgia (Department of Transportation) crews the time they need to maintain the condition of the roads.”