EMA chief: It’s always a good time to prepare for severe weather

The weather outside lately has been frightful, but it will not be long before it may turn severe. And when that happens, local officials hope people have planned and are ready for whatever Mother Nature brings this way.

Bill Laird, director of Laurens County Emergency Management Agency/E-911, wants people to be prepared for the weather – rather it is severe cold or storms that we normally receive later in the year.

“We had that ice come through and immediately behind that we had potential for severe weather,” Laird said. “We always get severe weather in spring and summer.”

That is the real reason for preparing for severe weather. 

“Our biggest thing here is wind and maybe tornadoes or thunderstorms,” Laird said. “Those are what usually causes the largest power outages and trees coming down to cause road blockages. Having a plan is the best thing to do. Planning for the family, especially when it comes to being prepared, is a valuable opportunity to educate ourselves on safeguarding our homes and loved ones.  By actively participating in this endeavor, we can establish and develop safety measures that will benefit both our loved ones and the wider community.”

When there is a bad storm, and the power goes out, it is good to have nonperishable food and water for at least three days.

“That is what is recommended,” Laird said. “Depending on the damage and destruction, it may take that long to get the central services restored and back to you.” 

One of the best things to have is a basic disaster supplies kit where the following items are recommended:

– Water for one gallon per person for several days for drinking and sanitation.

– Several-days supply of non-perishable food.

– Battery-provided or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert.

– Flashlights

– First aid kit

– Extra batteries

– Whistle to signal for help

– Dust mask

– Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape

– Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties

– Wrench, pliers or other tools to help turn off utilities

– Manual can opener for food

– Local maps

– Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. 

People are also advised to have soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes along with organizing and protecting prescriptions which include over-the-counter drugs and vitamins. It is also important to not forget non-prescription medications like pain relievers, anti-diarrhea, antacids or laxatives. 

Laird said there is a check list on the Ready.gov website.

“That is a fantastic resource to enable you to be ready for weather, storms or anything else,” he said.

People can also sign up for hyper reach alert, which is a communication service for those in Laurens County through CivicReady in case of an emergency. They can sign up going to the city of Dublin or Laurens County Commissioners websites. The alerts will notify people about:

– Missing persons

– Evacuations

– Local threats

– Severe weather alerts

– Other incidents

“People can customize their alerts,” Laird said.