Newspaper Page Text
THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL. THURSDAY. MARCH 26. 2009 — PAGE 7A
March is start of tornado
season in Georgia
Georgia has already expe
rienced its first deadly tor
nadoes this year, claiming a
life and causing harm and
damage in 15 counties across
the state.
March marks the start of
a three-month active torna
do season in the Southeast,
making now the time for
Georgians to get ready by
preparing, planning and stay
ing informed with Ready
Georgia, the state’s emergen
cy preparedness campaign.
“Tornadoes have terror
ized both rural and urban
areas in Georgia's recent his
tory, making anyone vulner
able to their hazards," said
Charley English, director
of the Georgia Emergency
Management Agency.
“Just last March, an EF-2
tornado tore a six-mile path
through the heart of down
town Atlanta,” English added.
“The next day, twisters
ripped through Polk, Floyd,
Jefferson, Burke. Butts and
Bartow counties. Three peo
ple died as a result of these
storms, and seven counties
received a federal disaster
declaration. These tragedies
and others clearly demon
strate why every Georgian
needs to be prepared.”
Tornadoes have proven to
be some of nature’s most vio
lent storms that can generate
wind speeds of more than 250
mph and can appear out of
nowhere with little warning.
Being prepared to act
quickly by having a plan in
place and practicing how and
where to take shelter is cru
cial to mitigating the effects
of a tornado.
To help Georgia families
and business prepare, plan
and stay informed. Ready
Georgia recommends taking
the following steps during
tornado season:
PREPARE FOR
A TORNADO
•Familiarize yourself with
the terms that are used to
identify a tornado hazard.
•A tornado watch means a
tornado is possible in your
area.
•A tornado warning means
a tornado has been spotted
in your area, and you need to
take shelter immediately.
•Determine in advance
where you will take shelter
in case of a tornado warning.
Storm cellars or basements
provide the best protection.
•Make sure NOAA Weather
Radios are programmed cor
rectly and prepare a Ready
kit of supplies that may be
needed following a tornado.
PLAN TO TAKE
SHELTER
•If local authorities issue a
tornado warning or if you see
a funnel cloud, take shelter
immediately.
•If underground shelter is
not available, go into an inte
rior room on the lowest floor
possible.
•A vehicle, trailer or mobile
home does not provide ade
quate protection. Plan to go
quickly to a building with
a strong foundation, if pos
sible.
•If shelter is not available,
lie flat in a ditch or other low-
lying area.
STAY INFORMED
•Listen to NOAA Weather
Radio, watch TV, listen to the
radio or check the Internet
often for official news and
instructions as they become
available.
•After a tornado, stay out of
damaged buildings and stay
clear of downed power lines.
•Help injured or trapped
people. Check on others who
may require special assis
tance, such as the elderly,
children and people with dis
abilities.
Visit www.ready.ga.gov for
more Georgia-specific torna
do preparedness information
and to create a customized
Ready kit checklist and com
munications plan for your
family or business.
Randy Saye honored
'. A
The Athens Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held its annual
George Washington Birthday Celebration Dinner Sunday evening in the
Oak Room of the UGA Georgia Center. Two S.A.R. Emergency Medical
Service Commendation Medals were presented. The first went to EMT
Randy Saye who was accompanied by his wife Renee and EMS Director
Dwayne Patton and Lyn Patton. Mr. Saye was honored for his outstanding
and dedicated service to Madison County as an EMT.
Easter egg
hunt set for
April 4
The 22 nd annual Easter
Egg Hunt will be held on
Saturday, April 4, at 10
a.m. the Madison County
Recreation Department. The
egg hunt is free of charge
and open to al children ages
8 and under, officials said.
Participants are asked to
bring a canned food item
to donate to the Madison
County Food Bank.
Children will be divided
into four age divisions: 2
and under; 3-4 year olds;
5-6 year olds and 7-8
year olds.
There will be over 4.000
eggs, 20 prizes and plenty
of fun for everyone, orga
nizers said.
In case of inclement
weather, the rain date is
Saturday, April 11, at 10
a.m.
For more information, call
the recreation department at
706-795-6270.
Buckle Up.
It’s the law!
The Children’s
The Madison
County Journal
is your source
for local
news. Call
706-795-2567 to
subscribe.
$ 5 00 0FF
Ticket Of s 2CP° Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only.
La Hacienda Commerce La Hacienda Braselton
173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 5391 Highway 53
706-335-7458 706-654-0070
j^T/ie Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant j
Wear Outlet
WAREHOUSE SALE
4 days only!
March 25 th - 28 th
Wed, Thu, Fri -10 AM to 7 PM
Saturday -10 AM to 5 PM
Georgia Mountains Center
Name brands you love
and nothing over $8.00!
0^# socks
crib sheets
NOW HALF PRICE!
HALF PRICE! NOW $2!
hooded towels half PRICE! now $1.50!
Thorne Equipment Company
8 mi. NE of Homer on Hwy. 198
706-677-3579 or 800-633-4306
Always FREE Admission
Cash & Charge Only. No Checks Please.
www.theGhildrenswearoutlet.com