This week, Forsyth County is reminding residents how to stay safe when bad weather hits.
The Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency is taking part in Severe Weather Preparedness Week and asking the public to learn how to stay safe when the weather gets nasty.
“Taking time to put a family severe weather response plan in place and practicing emergency response procedures could be life-saving should a natural disaster strike,” said EMA Director and Fire Chief Danny Bowman in a news release. “I encourage our residents to learn how they and their families will deal with each potential disaster.”
Each day this week has a focus on a type of severe weather. On Monday, all local households are encouraged to program their National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radios. The remaining days are as follows:
• Wednesday – Tornado Safety and PrepareAthon! For Tornado Safety
• Thursday – Lightning Safety
• Friday – Flood Safety
At 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, the county will take part in a statewide tornado drill, in which all of the county’s outdoor severe weather sirens will sound. The drill will only be held if there is good weather.
A list of siren locations can be found at forsythco.com on the EMA department’s page.
Local residents can also receive emergency and weather alerts by email, phone or text message at forsythco.com by clicking the “Emergency & Weather Alerts” icon or by texting SWIFT911 to 99538 to download the free Swift 911 mobile app.
“One way Forsyth County residents can be better prepared for a severe weather event is by signing up for emergency alerts,” said Forsyth County EMA Deputy Director Chris Grimes. “Our goal with these alerts is to get the right information out to residents as quickly as possible to help ensure their safety.”
Alerts are sent for warnings for severe thunderstorms, flash floods and tornadoes.
Residents are also encouraged to download the Ready Georgia mobile app. The application gives access to several tools for emergency preparedness.
For more information about the week or emergency preparedness, email EMA@forsythco.com or call 770-205-5674.