ATLANTA, Ga. (WTXL) -- While there may not be a concern for extreme severe weather events in the near-term future, officials with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency are urging residents to get a jump-start on severe weather preparedness and knowledge with this week's awareness week initiatives.
The five-day program begins today with a focus on family preparedness. Ready Georgia offers suggestions and recommendations on establishing family-and-friend contact lists, designated meeting places before or after a weather event, and instructions on how to program NOAA weather radios.
On Friday, a statewide tornado drill is scheduled 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. unless actual severe weather threatens. Georgians are encouraged to participate by practicing methods of protecting themselves and their families in a mock tornado warning situation. Weather radio users may hear an alert tone on Friday morning in conjunction with the tornado drill.
Other topics covered in this year's Severe Weather Awareness Week include safety tips related to lightning, thunderstorms, and floods.
Ready Georgia has many more sources of information and interactive features.
Florida observes Severe Weather Awareness Week starting Feb. 24.
UPDATE (02/04/2014): Because of a thunderstorm threat, GEMA has rescheduled the tornado drill for Friday morning. A previous version of this article stated the drill was to occur Wednesday morning, the original day for the drill before the schedule change.
