EMA Blog

Many Crisp County citizens are searching for professionals to help with home repairs after Hurricane Michael hit the area in just the past week. Please don’t be taken for a ride by so-called “fly by night” businesses and scammers that often come out of the woodwork after a storm! Crisp County is requiring all contractors who are not licensed to report to the Government Center with documentation of their current license. Contractors and others looking to do business in Crisp...

SEPTEMBER:National Preparedness Month For Immediate Release: August 29, 2018 News Release September is National Preparedness Month (ATLANTA) – September is National Preparedness Month, and Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is working with county emergency management agencies to ensure citizens across the state are preparing themselves and their families for natural and man-made disasters. Throughout the month, GEMA/HS is encouraging all Georgia residents to...

PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN MEETING Crisp County, Cordele, and Arabi will hold a public meeting to initiate an update to the Pre-disaster Mitigation Plan. This is a community effort to be better prepared for potential disasters that can be reasonably expected to occur locally. The meeting will be held in the Emergency Operations Center next door to the Sheriff's Office/Detention Center at 196 Georgia Highway 300 South, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 19, 2018. The public is...

June 24-30, 2018 Lightning is one of the most underrated severe weather hazards, yet ranks as one of the top weather killers in the United States. Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Lightning kills an average of 47 people in the United States each year, and hundreds more are severely injured. Each year, lightning causes about: 25,000 total fires 4,400 home structure fires 1,800 non-home...

Even though it may seem like hurricanes are an unlikely threat to this area, their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland. Crisp County experienced the impacts of a Category 5 hurricane last September. Crisp County was even placed under a Tropical Storm Warning during this event. September 11, 2017 at 4:46 AM Crisp County experienced wind speeds as high as 30 MPH. 30 MPH may seem insignificant when Hurricane Irma’s highest wind speed was 185MPH, but powerlines, trees, and homes were...

Terms to Know: Flash Flood Watch: A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean that flash flooding will occur, but it is possible. Flash Flood Warning: A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring. Flood Watch: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. Flood Warning: A Flood Warning is issued when...

Terms to know: Tornado Watch: A Tornado Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY WILL OCCUR. It only means they ARE POSSIBLE. Severe thunderstorms are defined as follows: 1) Winds of 58 mph or higher AND/OR 2) Hail 1 inch in diameter or larger. Tornado Warning: A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado is imminent. When a tornado warning is issued, SEEK SAFE SHELTER...

Terms to Know Storm Warning: Storm Warnings are issued for the when one or both of the following conditions is expected to begin within 36 hours and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone: 1) sustained winds of 48 knots to 63 knots OR 2) frequent gusts (duration of two or more hours) of 48 knots to 63 knots Severe Thunderstorm Watch: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. IT DOES NOT MEAN...

Communication plans are an essential part of being prepared for severe weather in Crisp County. Not sure where to start with your plan? Follow the link below to download a Family Emergency Plan or create a customized plan for your familiy. http://ready.ga.gov/make-a-plan/ What is a NOAA Weather Radio? NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office....

Why sign up for CodeRED? Crisp County experienced a multitude of weather episodes this past year. Throughout each episode information remained the most valuable resource. One key component that kept citizens of Crisp County safe was dissemination of weather alerts and updates. There are many contributing platforms that helped Crisp County Sheriff’s Office inform citizens of emergency details and precautions. News Media, Social Media, CodeRED, and Weather Sirens were all vehicles that...

Recommended Items to Include in an Basic Emergency Supply Kit: Water,one gallon of water per person for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Battery-powered hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both Flashlight and extra batteries First aid kit Whistle to signal help Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to...

Knowing the Terms is crucial during any significant weather events. Definitions of Weather Watch, Warnings and Advisories: Significant Weather Advisory: Significant Weather Advisory is issued to keep the public and media abreast of weather situations that are significant, but not thought to be life-threatening. Such situations might include (but are not limited to), excessive lightning, wind potential less than 58 mph, hail stones smaller than one (1) inch in diameter or even...