Macon-Bibb EMA Ready for Georgia Severe Weather Awareness Week

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Monday kicks off Georgia’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, and with tornado season right around the corner, ocal emergency management crews want to make sure you and your family are protected if dangerous weather strikes.Looking on as Governor Nathan Deal announces his severe weather warning task force online, Macon-Bibb EMA Director Don Druitt is waiting and listening.Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia began on Monday and Druitt says it’s important for families to have a plan and stick to it.

“Well we’ve learned over the last decade or so that the government can’t do it all. We’re looking at local preparedness as the real key. If you’re prepared that’s one less individual that government agencies, when they come in for major disasters, have to worry about,” Druitt said.

Preparation can mean life or death when those major disasters strike.

Having different ways of receiving severe weather warnings, whether it be through a smart phone or radio, will help.

“We need to be able to connect with the public to get the message out. What I like to do is let them know what our capabilities are, and then recognize the needs of the public,” Druitt said.

He said it’s important for every family to have a working family preparedness kit like extra clothes, a first aid, contact information, and a working flashlight.

“These safety kits are basically something you can use under any condition and a lot of information about your important papers, you know having them in plastic envelopes so in case there is a water leak in your house, those things will still survive and you’re able to use them.”

Druitt says it’s all about making sure residents in his area remain safe.

He’s in constant communication with other emergency management crews in the area, and residents can come visit to learn more on how to stay prepared.

“We’ve opened up our center Monday through Friday for anyone that would like to come by and visit, so we can show them some of our capabilities and the tools that we use to monitor the weather and notify the citizens about events,” Druitt said.

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