Memories of last year’s near-tragic tornado in Wilkes County put extra motivation behind the planned tornado drills set for Wednesday as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week. Wilkes County will take part in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday, Feb. 3, and authorities will be working to help prepare the county and the school system for severe weather.

“We’ll have our big tornado drill on Wednesday morning,” Wilkes County Emergency Management Agency Director Alan Poss said. “We’ll use this opportunity as an exercise in all four schools, visiting and observing the drills in each school.”

Wednesday’s drill is part of the Wilkes EMA’s ongoing countywide exercise program designed to earn national certification for the local agency, Poss said.

Poss said that Severe Weather Awareness Week is a good time for families to review what they would do in the event of a tornado warning, and to make sure the family’s SAME weather alert radio is working.

“I cannot express how important these weather alert radios are to the public,” he said. “They’re just as important as smoke detectors for your home. With the alert radio, you just set it, and it will keep quiet until the weather service sends out a tornado warning for us. Then it will turn itself on, even in the middle of the night, and give you the exact information you need to be safe.”

Next week’s drills are part of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) observance of Severe Weather Awareness Week, encouraging families to learn emergency preparedness and response procedures for all types of severe-weather events.

“Family preparedness is the focus on Monday, February 1,” says GEMA Director Charley English. “Family Preparedness Day is a time for every family to plan and rehearse what they should do during the first 72 hours of any severe weather-related event or disaster,” he added.

Tuesday, February 2, will focus on thunderstorm safety and Thursday will focus on lightning safety. Flooding, which has struck parts of Georgia recently, will be Friday’s focus

To help families get started, Ready Georgia – a GEMA emergency preparedness campaign – offers the tools needed to make an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats, Poss said. “Ready Georgia’s interactive website, www. ready.ga.gov, provides detailed information on Georgia-specific emergency preparedness and allows users to create a personal profile and receive a customized checklist and a family communications plan.”

“During winter storms, floods, tornadoes or hurricanes, it may take emergency workers 72 hours or more to reach certain areas in order to open roadways and restore utilities,” English commented. “The benefit of being self-sufficient for 72 hours, or longer, is that your family can survive circumstances that might otherwise be tragic, if you were not prepared. With a little time and effort, families can prepare for severe weather hazards affecting our area.”

To develop a family disaster plan, authorities say, first gather information about hazards from the local EMA, Ready Georgia, or the American Red Cross. “Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn the community’s warning signals and evacuation plans,” Poss said.

Next, meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered, then pick two places to meet: a spot very near your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your “family check-in contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

Then, implement your plan. Post emergency telephone numbers by phones, install safety features in your house, such as a NOAA weather radio, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Next, inspect your home for potential hazards such as items that can move, fall, break or catch fire; and correct them. Have family members learn basic safety measures such as CPR and first-aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1.

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your family’s needs for at least three days. Assemble an emergency preparedness kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation.