As Severe Weather Awareness Week continues in Georgia, Hall County officials have scheduled some special events they hope will educate local citizens on the dangers of severe weather.
Coming up Wednesday, Feb. 6, Hall County will conduct its quarterly audible test of the severe weather warning system. Starting at 9 a.m., weather sirens around the county will sound for about three minutes. Again, the Wednesday alert is only a test. Outside of the audible test every three months, all sirens should be considered an actual tornado warning.
The county's Citizen Alert System also will be tested Wednesday.The Citizen's Alert System notifies residents about severe weather, fires, floods, toxic environmental issues and other important topics within minutes. Messages can be sent to individuals using a variety of contact mechanisms - cell phone, landline, email, text messaging and more - ensuring that Hall County residents receive life-saving emergency information and important public service announcements in minutes. Citizens listed in the County's 9-1-1 database have been automatically subscribed to alerts by landline, though any individual may self-register, provide additional contact information or opt out.
Hall County emergency officials are asking citizens to sign up for the Citizen's Alert System, noting that Severe Weather Awareness Week is a perfect time to do so.
"Severe weather can be unpredictable and extremely dangerous," said Casey Ramsey, Interim Director of Hall County Emergency Management. "By taking steps to prepare before it strikes, you can ensure that you and your family stay safe. I encourage all Hall County residents to implement safety measures at home and at work so they will be ready when severe weather strikes."
To sign up or learn more, log onto alerts.hallcounty.org.
Also this week, Hall County Emergency Management will be providing free NOAA weather radios to Hall County residents on Thursday, Feb. 7. This event will be held at the North Hall Community Center at 4175 Nopone Road in Gainesville from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.. Only Hall County residents are eligible to receive a free NOAA weather radio.
For more information about Severe Weather Preparedness Week and events occurring locally, visit ready.ga.gov or contact [email protected].
