Atlanta --The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s regional office in Atlanta, Georgia has activated its Regional Response Coordination Center to monitor the ongoing threat of severe weather, and gather damage reports from earlier storms in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. This center is open around the clock to maintain close coordination with state and tribal officials across the southeast. FEMA also has Liaison Officers at State Emergency Operations Centers in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida to provide support if requested. Additional teams are on alert for possible deployment if needed.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center is reporting a high risk for severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreaks today across northern Florida and southern Georgia, with the significant severe threat expected to extend southward into central Florida and northeastward into South Carolina this evening.
According to the SPC, this is only the third High Risk threat, and the first in January, issued since 2000 that includes the state of Florida, and the first High Risk threat issued anywhere in the United States since April 28, 2014.
There is a threat for strong, long-tracked tornadoes across portions of south Georgia and north Florida. Large hail and damaging winds up to 75mph are possible as these storms move through.
FEMA urges residents to monitor weather conditions and follow the directions of their state, tribal, and local officials, and to download the FEMA mobile app. The app provides weather alerts, and safety tips, in English and in Spanish. Individuals can also use the app to customize a checklist of emergency supplies and weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
Now is the time to prepare for a tornado and plan where you will go if a tornado watch is issued in your community:
Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
If underground shelter is not available, go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head.
Vehicles, trailers and mobile homes are not good locations to ride out a tornado. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation, if possible.
Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has passed.
Additional information on tornado preparedness is available at: Ready.gov/tornadoes
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FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.
Download the FEMA mobile app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips.