Summer Storms

Summer officially starts today and the weather is in full summer swing! Warm mornings giving way to hot afternoons which fire up the afternoon thunderstorms. Are you prepared?

These daily wind-ups will be manageable if you have taken just a few simple preparation steps for you and your family.

Have you subscribed to Code Red Weather Warnings? Go to www.jaspercountyga.org and scroll to the bottom where you can sign up. Code Red integrates with The National Weather Service, the Emergency Alert System (Amber Alerts, etc), FEMA, and others that allows our Jasper County Dispatchers to send alerts to geographically- related citizens.

Have you designated a safe space in your home that everyone knows to go to in the event of a severe weather situation? Does this space (room or closet) have:

•Ideally no windows?

•In the center of the home?

•A few bottles of water?

•A flashlight with fresh batteries?

•Some pillows or a comforter to protect your head?

•A fire extinguisher?

Everyone should practice getting to this safe space and especially homes with children. If they’re old enough to understand and walk, they’re old enough to practice and make it a habit. If a severe storm or tornado comes up, that is not the time to wonder if you have what you need and your children to wonder what to do next.

Jasper County is made of hard-working folks who are tough and resilient. But staying that way takes just a little bit of preparation and practice. Be weather aware, come inside when you hear thunder, and stay safe.