Helene is rapidly gaining in strength and is expected to make landfall this evening along Florida's Apalachee Bay as a Category 3 (possibly Category 4) Hurricane. Southwest and South Central Georgia are under a hurricane warning and Governor Kemp has declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties in the state. Athenians should expect Tropical Storm conditions beginning tonight lasting into tomorrow morning, which might result in downed trees and prolonged power outages.
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) recommends building an emergency kit to help you stay prepared and safe.
Some key items to include in your Emergency Ready Kit include:
- Food At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food such as nut butters, canned beans, tuna or other canned meats, and wheat crackers
- Water At least 3 gallons per person, for drinking and sanitation
- Can opener For food, if kit contains canned food
- Radio Battery-powered or hand crank NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Prescription medication and glasses
- Food and extra water for pets
For a more detailed Ready Kit, visit the GEMA website.
It is a good idea to create a Family Communication Plan as well, so all of your family members know how to get in touch with one another and where to meet should you get separated. Additionally, be sure to secure any loose items around your home that could become projectiles in strong winds like outdoor furniture, trash bins or planters. More tips on hurricane preparedness can be found on the GEMA website.
With downed power lines, outages, flooding and fallen trees expected, ACC would like to caution residents to keep in mind the following safety reminders:
- Do not drive around barricades that are in place for motorist safety or through standing water
- Residents should never clear tree limbs, downed trees, or debris from roadways. Live power lines could be tangled in debris and can cause injury or death; instead, wait for county staff and utility crews.
- Motorists who must drive should always treat flashing red and non-operational signals as a four-way stop.
If you are in Athens-Clarke County and have urgent issues that need to be addressed, refer to this pdf document with instructions on who to call.
