Emergency officials are urging Georgia residents to prepare for a potential winter storm this weekend, emphasizing that families should be ready to sustain themselves for at least three days without outside help.
The guidance comes as communities across the state remain vulnerable to severe weather events that can knock out power, close roads, and delay emergency response. Officials stress that during and immediately after a natural disaster, government agencies may struggle to reach everyone quickly due to damaged equipment, limited personnel, and communication breakdowns.
“In times of emergencies, your neighbors will probably be the first ones available to come to your aid,” the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences notes in its guide. The guidance recommends that neighbors identify shared resources in advance and coordinate mutual assistance plans.
What to stockpile
Experts recommend assembling a stay-at-home kit with supplies for two weeks and at least seven days of medications. For families planning to evacuate, a three-day supply is considered the minimum.
Essential items for any emergency kit include:
- Non-perishable foods, such as protein bars, nut butters, bread, and canned meats, like tuna or chicken (at least three days’ worth)
- Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day for at least three days)
- Prescription medicine and a first aid kit
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Toiletries
- Sleeping bags or extra blankets, hats, and gloves
- Phone chargers
- NOAA weather radio and weather app
Protecting your home
Beyond getting supplies, emergency officials recommend several steps to winterize homes before storms arrive. Residents should insulate pipes and let faucets drip during freezes, while leaving cabinet doors open to prevent burst pipes. Plants and pets should come indoors.
Keeping doors and windows closed helps retain heat, and anyone with a vehicle should maintain a full gas tank. Officials also urge residents to keep devices charged as long as possible before power outages.
The emphasis on household communication runs throughout the guidance. Emergency planners say every member of a household should understand the family’s disaster plan and know what role they’ll play when severe weather hits.
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